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"Presby+ev-icm  ctauY-cVt      \y\   ~\V\e.  OS.fV 

G?ev\er<*l        assembly, 

THE 


SUPPLEMENT 

TO  THE 

PRESBYTERIAN    DIGEST, 

1898-1906. 


EDITED  BY  THE 

REV.  WILLIAM    H.  ROBERTS,  D.D.,  LL.D., 

Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly. 


PHILADELPHIA,  PA., 

PRESBYTERIAN   BOARD   OF   PUBLICATION 

AND  SABBATH-SCHOOL  WORK. 

I907. 


PREFATORY  NOTE. 


This  Supplement  includes  the  Acts,  Decisions,  and  Deliverances  of 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A. 
of  a  general  nature,  from  1898  up  to  and  including  the  Reunion 
with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  May,  1906.  It  also  contains 
the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  vital  to  the  Reunion.  The  New  Digest  authorized  by  the 
General  Assembly  will  appear  in  due  time. 

WILLIAM  H.  ROBERTS. 

912 


SYLLABUS 


TO  THE 


SUPPLEMENT. 


1.  References 


PART  I.    HISTORICAL  DOCUMENTS. 

II.     The  Adoption,  etc.,  of  the  Standards. 


913 


III.     Publication  of  the  Constitution,  etc. 


1.   New  Edition  of  the  Constitution, 

1904 913 


2.  Reprinting  of  the  Minutes,  1706 

to  1869 913 

3.  New  Digest,  Authority  for    .    .    .  914 


IV.    Proof-texts  to  the  Standards. 
1.    Revision,  Proof-texts,  1902 915 


V.     Historical  Documents — Reunions. 
Reunion  ivith  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 


1.  Appointment  of  Committee  (P.) 

on    Church    Cooperation    and 
Union 916 

2.  Membership,  Committee  (P.)  on 

Church  Cooperation  and  Union  916 

3.  Appointment,  Committee  (C.  P.) 

on  Fraternity  and  Union  .    .    .  917 

4.  Membership,   Committee  (C.  P.) 

on  Fraternity  and  Union  .    .    .  917 

5.  Telegrams   announcing    appoint- 

ment of  Committees 918 

6.  Joint-report  on  Union,  1904     .    .  918 
Plan  of  Reunion  and  Union  of 

the  Two  Churches 919 

1.  Basis  of  Union 919 

2.  Concurrent  Declarations     .    .    .  920 

3.  Recommendations 921 

7.  Action  of  the  Buffalo  (P.)  Gen- 

eral Assembly,  1904 922 

8.  Action  of  the  Dallas  (C.  P.)  Gen- 

eral Assembly,  1904 923 

9.  Enlargement    of   the   Committee 

(P.)    on    Church    Cooperation 
and  Union,  1904 923 

10.  Continuance    of    the    Committee 

(C.     P.)     on     Fraternity    and 
Union,  1904 "  .    .    .923 

11.  Telegrams    announcing     action, 

1904      924 

12.  Appointment  and  Report  of  the 

D 


Committee  of  Canvass  (P.), 
Winona  Assembly,  1905    .    .      924 

13.  Announcement  by  the  Moderator 

(P.),  Winona  Assembly,  1905  .  925 

14.  Report  of  the  Special  Committee 

on  Organic  Union  (C.  P.), 
Fresno  Assembly,  1905  ....  926 

15.  Adoption  of  the  Report  of  Can- 

vass and  Announcement  by  the 
Moderator  (C.  P.),  Fresno  As- 
sembly, 1905 926 

16.  Continuance  and  Enlargement  of 

the  Committee  (P.)  on  Church 
Cooperation  and  Union,  1905  .  927 

17.  Continuance  and  Enlargement  of 

the  Committee  on  Eratemity 
and  Union,  1905 927 

18.  Telegrams     announcing     action, 

1905      928 

19.  Action  of  Winona  Assembly  (P.), 

1905,  on  the  Amendment  to  the 
Form  of  Government,  Chapter 
x,  Section  2     ........  929 

20.  Joint -report    on    Reunion    and 

Union,  1906     ........  929 

21.  Telegrams     announcing     action, 

1906      936 

22.  Adoption  of  the  Joint-report  and 

Declaration  of  the  Consumma- 
tion of  Union,  1906    ...'..  937 

xlix 


1 


SYLLABUS  TO  THE  SUPPLEMENT. 


1.  Presbyterian  General  Assembly  937 

2.  Cumberland   Presbyterian  Gen- 

eral Assembly 937 

23.  Final  Adjournment  of  the  Gen- 

eral Assembly  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church     .    .  938 

24.  Keception  of  the  Delegates  of  the 

Cumberland  General  Assembly, 
Des  Moines,  1900 938 

25.  Announcement     bv    the     Stated 

Clerk,  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  1906  .  938 

26.  Special    Designation   for   certain 


Presbyteries  and  Synods    .    .    .  939 

27.  Doctrinal  Deliverance  (.P.),  Des 

Moines,  Iowa,  1906 939 

28.  Action  as  to  Amendments  to  Con- 

stitution    (P.),    Des    Moines, 
Iowa,  1906 940 

1.  Telegram 940 

2.  Text  of  Action 940 

29.  Action   as   to   Cumberland   Uni- 

versity   940 

30.  Continuance  of  the  Committee  on 

Church  Cooperation  and  Union  941 


PART  II.     THE  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH. 
The  Revision,  1900-1903. 


1.  The  Report  of  the  Committee  on 

Bills  and  Overtures,  1900   .        .  942 

2.  The  Committee  on  Revision,  1900  942 

3.  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Re- 

vision, 1901 943 

4.  The  Committee  on  Revision,  1901  943 


5.  The  Secretary  of  the  Committee   .  944 

6.  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Re- 

vision, 1902 944 

7.  Text  of  the  Revision 945 

8.  Footnotes  adopted 945 


Chapter  I.     Of  the  Holy  Scripture. 

The  McGiffert  Case. 


1.  Counsel  given,  either  to  conform 

views  to  the  Standards  or  to 
peaceably  withdraw  from  the 
Presbyterian  ministry      ....  945 

2.  Unanimous  deliverance  on  The  in- 

errancy of  the  Holy  Scriptures, 


The  infallibility  of  Jesus  Christ, 
The  direct  personal  institution  of 
the  Lord's  Supper  by  our  Lord, 
and  Justification  by  Faith  alone  946 
3.  Dr.  McGiffert  withdraws  and  case 

closed 948 


Chapter  III.     Of  God's  Eternal  Decree  (Footnote) 948 

Chapter  VII.     Of  Christ  the  Mediator  (Reference)      948 

Chapter  X.     Of  Effectual  Calling  (Footnote) 948 

Chapter  XL     Of  Justification. 

Section  2. — 1.  The  doctrine  of  justification  by  faith  and  the  doctrine  of  baptism 

to  be  maintained  in  interdenominational  intercourse 949 


Chapter  XVI.     Of  Good  Works. 
Section  vii,  Chapter  xvi,  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  changed 


949 


«  Chapter  XXII.     Of  Lawful  Oaths  and  Vows. 

The  last  clause  in  Section  iii,  Chapter  xxii,  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  stricken 

out  of  the  Confession 950 


Chapter  XXIV.     Of  Marriage  and  Divorce. 


Section  1.  Deliverances  on  Polygamy. 

1.  Action  against  Brigham  H.  Rob- 

erts      950 

2.  Approval  of  expulsion  of  Brig- 

ham  H.  Roberts 951 

3.  Action  against  Reed  Smoot    .    .  951 

4.  Petition     and     action     for     an 

Amendment  to  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  United  States     .    .  953 


Section  6.  Deliverances    on    Divorce 
and  Remarriage. 

1.  Appointment,  Committee  of  Con- 

ference  with    the   Protestant 
Episcopal  and  other  churches  954 

2.  Ministers  to  ascertain  if  impedi- 

ments exist 954 

3.  Uniformity  of  legislation  desir- 

able     954 


THE    FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 


li 


4.  Action  of  civil  authorities  and 

of    Inter-Church    Conference 
approved        955 

5.  Campaign     of     education      ap- 

proved, previous  deliverances 
reaffirmed 955 

6.  Cooperation  urged  as  to  divorce 

laws 955 


Rules    as   to  remarriage  of  di- 
vorced persons 955 

a.  Scriptural  causes  only  to  be 

recognized 955 

b.  Rules  of  other  denominations 

to  be  given  due  weight    .      956 

c.  Only    innocent    parties    after 

lapse  of  one  year  to  be  re- 
married   956 


Chapter  XXV.     Of  the  Church. 
Section  vi,  Chapter  xxv,  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  changed 956 

Chapter  XXVII.     Of  the  Sacraments. 
Section  4.     1.  Ruling  Elders  cannot  administer  the  Sacraments 956 


Chapter  XXVIII.     Of  Baptism  (Reference) 957 

Chapter  XXIX.     Of  the  Lord's  Supper  (Reference) 957 


Chapter  XXXI. 

Section  2. 

1.  Determinations  of  the  higher 
judicatories  to  be  received 
with  reverence 957 


Of  Synods  and  Councils. 

Section  4. 

1.  Synods  are  to  handle  or  con- 
clude nothing  but  that  which 
is  ecclesiastical 957 


The  New  Chapters. 


The  Preamble  . 
Chapter  XXXIV. 
Chapter  XXXV. 


Of  the  Holy  Spirit 

Of  the  Love  of  God  and  Missions 


Declaratory  Statement. 
1.  Order  as  to  form  and  place     .    .    .  959   |  2.  Text    .    . 


958 
958 
959 

959 


Section  1. 


PART  III.     THE  FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT. 

Chapter  I.     Preliminary  Principles. 
Deliverance  as  to  the  true  title  of  the  Church     .... 


961 


Chapter  II.     Of  the  Church. 


Section  4. 

1.  Appointment  of  Committee   on 

Church  Temporalities     .    .    .  961 


2.  Laws  relating  to  Religious  Corpo- 

rations compiled  and  published  961 

3.  To  whom  Trustees  may  resign  .    .  962 


Chapter  IX.     Of  the  Church  Session. 


Section  3. 

1.  Who  may  moderate  sessions  of 

vacant  churches 962 

Section  6. 

1.  Persons  encouraging  the  liquor 

traffic  subject  to  discipline  .    .  962 

2.  Amendment   as   to  power  over 

Sabbath-schools,  societies,  etc.  963 
Section  7. 

1.  Amendment  of  Chapter  ix.  by 
insertion  of  a  new  section  to 
be  known  as  Section  vii.    .    .  963 
Section  8. 

1.  Opening  and  closing  prayer  not 


mandatory 963 

Section  10.  Alterations  of  the  Annual 
Reports  and  of  the 
Narrative. 

1.  Appointment  of  a  Special  Com- 

mittee on  the  Reports,  etc.  .    .  963 

2.  Directions  as  to  the  Statistics  of 

Membership      964 

3.  Directions  as  to  the  columns  for 

contributions 964 

4.  Authority   for    printing    direc- 

tions, etc 965 

5.  Change  of  name  of  the  Narrative  966 

6.  Text  of  the  Narrative     ....  966 


lii 


SYLLABUS    TO    THE    SUPPLEMENT. 


Chapter  X.     Of  the  Presbytery. 


Section  2. 

1.  Amendments   as  to    Territorial 

Limits  of  Presbyteries    .    .    .  966 

2.  The  General  Assembly  has  power 

to  erect  a  Presbytery  and  to 
name  its  members 966 

3.  Ministers  named  by  the  General 

Assembly  do  not  need  letters 
of  dismissal ;  all  other  minis- 
ters must  have  letters  ....  966 

Section  3. 

2.  Churches  should  be  represented 
by  Elders  at  adjourned  as  well 

as  regular  meetings 967 

Section  4. 

1.  Grouped  churches  located  in  two 
Presbyteries  must  have  pas- 
tors      967 

Section  5. 

1.  Official  declaration  that  a  pulpit 

is  vacant  to  be  recommended  968 
Section  7. 

1.  Action  taken  when  quorum  is  not 

present  can  be  ratified  only  by 
the  Presbytery  when  a  quorum 
is  present 968 

2.  A  Presbytery  with  a  minimum 

of  ministers  either  to  be  en- 
larged by  Synod  or  merged 
into  other  Presbyteries    .    .    .  969 


Section  8. 

1.  Leave   given  to  erase  name  of 

missing  minister 969 

2.  Minister  transferred  by  the  Gen- 

eral Assembly  from  one  Pres- 
bytery to  another 969 

3.  Presbytery  cannot  act  by  Com- 

mission in  other  than  Judicial 

business      969 

Section  9. 

I.  Rules  for  the  Statistical  Reports. 

1.  No  designation  after  names  of 

ministers  without  charge    .  969 

2.  H.  M.    to    be    inserted    after 

names    of    Home   Mission- 
aries   .    . 970 

3.  All  ecclesiastical  changes  to 

be  immediately  reported     .  970 

II.  The  Narrative. 

1.  Name  of  the  Narrative 
changed,  and  Committee  on 
Christian    Life    and   Work 

appointed 970 

Section  10. 

1.  Moderator  is  not  the  judge  of  the 
necessity  of  a  pro  re  nata  meet- 
ing   970 

Section  11. 

1.  A  session  of  an  ecclesiastical 
body  is  the  sitting  of  a  single 
day 971 


Chapter  XL     Of  the  Synod. 


Section  1. 

1.  Clerical  Commissioners  not  con- 

fined to  pastors 971 

2.  Synods  erected  since  1898  .    .    .971 

3.  Synods     and     Presbyteries     re- 

ceived and  enrolled  in  1906   .  974 
Section  3. 

1.  Only   ministers    can    be   corre- 

sponding members 974 

2.  Standing    of    a    corresponding 

member  must  be  fully  stated  .  974 
Section  4. 

1.  Synods  cannot  appoint  Commis- 

sions in  violation  of  the  pro- 
visions of  the  Constitution  .    .  975 

2.  When  a  Synod  has  not  members 

to  spare  for  a  Judicial  Com- 
mission a  trial  should  be  con- 
ducted by  the  Synod  as  a 
whole 975 

3.  Judgment  of  Synod  is  final   in 

cases  which  do  not  affect  the 
doctrine  or  Constitution  .    .    .  975 

4.  Judicial  Committee  reversed  by 

Judicial  Commission  in  cases 
in  which  judgment  of  Synod 

is  final 975 

Protest  against  above  judgment      .  976 

5.  Synod   should   not   assume   pri- 

mary jurisdiction  of  ministers  977 


6.  Synods  to  prepare  model  char- 

ters for  congregations  ....  977 

7.  Synodical  Home  Missions  .    .    .  977 
Section  5. 

1.  Sermon  must  be  preached  .    .    .  977 

2.  Particular  sessions  to  be  opened 

and  closed  with  prayer    .    .    .  977 

3.  Devotional  exercises  a  substitute 

for  opening  prayer 977 

Section  6. 

1.  Records  must  be  full 97S 

2.  Absentees  to  be  enrolled      .    .    .  978 

3.  Delegate  Synods  may  omit  names 

of  absentees 978 

4.  Results  of  final  roll-call  to  be 

recorded 978 

5.  Churches  not  represented  must 

be  recorded 878 

6.  Action      taken      and      Reports 

adopted  must  be  recorded  .    .  979 

7.  Spelling  may  be  variable    .    •      979 

8.  A  Narrative  of  the  State  of  Re- 

ligion should  be  prepared  and 
recorded         979 

9.  Judicial  cases  not  included  in 

the  ordinary   review   of   rec- 
ords     980 

10.  The    subject     matter    of    com- 

plaints must  be  recorded     .    .  980 

11.  Commissions  should  not  be  ap- 


THE    FORM    OP    GOVERNMENT. 


liii 


pointed  to  approve  the  Min- 
utes      980 

12.  Records  need  not  be  approved 

twice 980 

13.  Certification  of  previous  Minutes 

to  be  recorded  in  new  book    .  980 

14.  Regulations  as  to  certification  to 

be  complied  with 980 

15.  Compliance  urged  with  regula- 


tions as  to  printed  records  .    .  981 

16.  Translation  of  printed  copy  ac- 

cepted      981 

17.  After  Records  have    been    ap- 

proved corrections  can  be 
made  only  by  recurrence  to 
the  judicatory  approving    .    .981 

18.  The  Records  must  be  presented 

annually 981 


Chapter  XII.     Of  the  General  Assembly. 


Section  1. 

i.  The  Moderator. 

1.  Mode  of   election.     Standing 

Rule  No.  26  .    .    .  .    .  982 

2.  Limit  of  time  for  nominating 

speeches     .    .        982 

3.  Appointment  of  Chairmen  of 

Standing  Committees  .    .    .  982 
ii.  Standing  Orders  and  Rules. 

1.  Changes  and  additions    .    .    .  982 
iii.  Members  of  the  Assembly. 

1.  Seating  of  Commissioners  .    .  983 

2.  Advisory  members 983 

iv.  The  Stated  Clerk. 

1.  Tenure  of  office 983 

2.  Expenses  of  the  Assembly  .    .  983 

3.  Audit  of  Accounts 984 

4.  Salary 984 

5.  Printing  of  Overtures  ....  984 

6.  Notification,  etc.,  of  Electing 

Sections 984 

7.  Papers  for  Electing  Sections  .  984 

8.  Seating  of  Commissioners  .    .  984 

9.  Reports  of  Special  Committees  984 
V.  The  Permanent  Clerk. 

1.  Mode  of  election  in  1900.     No 

change  in  tenure  of  office    .  984 

2.  Report    of    absentees     from 

Electing  Sections     ....  985 
vi.  Standing  Committees. 

1.  Mode     of     election.      Rules 

adopted  in  1900  as  amended  985 

2.  Time  of  existence  of  Electing 

Sections 986 

3.  Each  Presbytery  to  be  repre- 

sented      986 

4.  Details   of  operation    of    the 

Plan 986 

5.  Arrangement  of  Electing  Dis- 

tricts      .    •  987 

6.  Time  Allowance  of  Standing 

Committees  for  Reports  .    .  988 

7.  Standing  Committee  on  Home 

Missions  to  report  on  Va- 
cancy and  Supply     .    .    .    •  988 

8.  Standing   Committee    on    the 

Narrative.     To    report    on 
Special  Committee's  Report  988 

9.  Standing  Committee  on  Syn- 

odical  Home  Missions  con- 
stituted   988 

10.  Standing   Committee    on   Fi- 

nance  to  report  a  Budget 
for  the  Boards 989 


11.   Standing  Committee  on  the 

Presbyterian  Brotherhood  1049 
vii.  Special  Committees. 

1.  Reports  to  be  delivered  to  the 

Stated  Clerk  for  printing  .    989 

2.  Expenses  of  Special  Commit- 

tees   989 

Section  4. 

1.  Judicial      Commissions      ap- 

pointed, 1898-1906  .    .        .    .  990 

2.  One  Assembly  cannot  criticize 

another 990 

Section  5. 

I.  Deliverances  on  Doctrine. 

1.  Brief  Statement  of  the  Re- 

formed Faith.     Purpose    .    990 

2.  Brief  Statement  of  the  Re- 

formed Faith.    Text  ...    991 

II.  Pastoral  Deliverances. 

1.  Deliverance  on  the  Bible  and 

the  Public  Schools     .    .    .    995- 

2.  Deliverance     on     Religious 

Liberty  in  the  Philippines    995 

3.  Action  against  the  use  of  pub- 

lic funds  for  sectarian  pur- 
poses              995 

4.  Deliverance  against  Modern 

Unbelief 1091 

III.  Of  Erecting,  Changing,  and 

Dismissing  Synods,  and  of 
the  approval  of  Union 
Presbyterian  Synods  in 
Foreign  Lands. 

1.  Synods  erected  since  1898    .    995- 

2.  Legal  successor  to  a  Synod 

designated 996 

3.  Churches    transferred    from 

one  Synod  to  another    .    .    996 

4.  Action  on   the  Independent 

Synod  of  Mexico    ....    996- 

5.  The" Synod  of  India  dismissed 

to  unite  with  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  India      .    997 

6.  Union  Synod  in   China   ap- 

proved and  Synods  dis- 
missed to  unite  therewith    998 

7.  Union  Presbyterian  Church 

in  Korea  approved     .    .    -    998 

IV.  Of   Erecting   and    Changing 

Presbyteries. 

1.  Presbyteries  erected  on  Mis- 

sion Fields 998 

2.  Presbyteries  erected  on  the 

Home  Field 999 


liv 


SYLLABUS  TO  THE  SUPPLEMENT. 


3.  Presbyteries  transferred  from 

one  Presbytery  to  another    999 

4.  A  Presbytery  divided  in  or- 

der to  form  a  Synod  .    .    .    999 

5.  A  Presbytery  formed  out  of 

Churches  in  two  Synods    .    999 

6.  Ministers  dismissed  to  form 

new  Presbyteries      ....    999 

7.  Committee   on    Home    Mis- 

sions appointed  in  a  new 

Presbytery .    999 

V.  To   correspond  with   Foreign 
Churches, 
i.  Churches  in  general   ....  1000 
ii.  The  World  Presbyterian  Al- 
liance. 

1.  Action   as    to    the    Seventh 

General  Council     ....  1001 

2.  The   work   of  the   Alliance 

approved 1001 

3.  Committee  appointed  to  nom- 

inate delegates  to  the 
Eighth  General  Council    .  1001 

4.  Change    in    Basis  of  Repre- 

sentation in  the  General 
Council  of  the  Alliance     .  1001 

5.  Religious    services    for    the 

English-speaking    people 

in  Europe 1002 

6.  Committee      on      European 

Work  appointed     ....  1002 

7.  Reports  of  the  Committee  on 

European  Work     ....  1002 

8.  Expenses    of    the    Alliance 

voted 1003 

9.  Delegates  and  Reports  of  the 

Alliance 1003 

iii.  Correspondence  with  Amer- 
ican Churches. 
1.  Comity  with  Other  Denomina- 
tions. 
1.  Principles  and  Rules  as  to 
Comity  stated.  The  duty 
of  the  Church  to  the  Na- 
tion emphasized  1004 

£.  Federation  of  American  Protest- 
ant Churches. 

1.  Appointment  of  Committee 

on  Church  Cooperation 
and  Union 1005 

2.  Communication  from  the  Na- 

tional Federation    .    .    .       1005 

3.  Closer  relation  of  all  Protest- 

ant Churches  in  the  U.S.  A. 
approved  and  Conference 
authorized 1006 

4.  Delegates  to  the  Interchurch 

Conference  appointed,  etc., 
Assembly  of  1905    ....  1006 

5.  Report  of  the  Committee  on 

Interchurch  Conference  on 
Federation  to  the  Assem- 
bly of  1906 1007 

6.  Action   of  the  Assembly  on 

the  Plan  of  Federation  .    .  1007 

7.  The  Plan  of  Federation    .    .  1008 


8.  Expenses  of  Delegates  .    .    .  1010 
3.  Federation   and    Cooperation    of 
Presbyterian    and     Reformed 
Churches  in  America. 

1.  Report  of  the  Committee  on 

Church  Cooperation  and 
Union  on  Presbyterian 
Federation,  1901    ...  1011 

2.  Action  on  Presbyterian  Fed- 

eration of  the  Assembly  of 

1904      1012 

3.  Plan    of    Cooperation    with 

Churches  in  the  Presby- 
terian Alliance  reaf: 
firmed  .    .        .    .  .    .  1012 

4.  Report  of  the  Committee  on 

Church  Cooperation  and 
Union  on  Presbyterian 
Federation,  1905        .    .      1012 

5.  Action   of  the  Assembly  of 

1905  on  the  proposed  Plan 
of  Presbyterian  Federa- 
tion   1013 

6.  Report  of  the  Committee  on 

Church  Cooperation  and 
Union  on  Presbyterian 
Federation,  1906    .    .    .    .1013 

7.  The  Articles  of  Agreement  .  1013 

8.  Action  of  the   Assembly  of 

1906  on  the  Articles  of 
Agreement 1015 

4-  Closer   Relations   and    Coopera- 
tion with  Particular  Denomi- 
nations. 
The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S. 

1.  Action   of   the   Assembly  of 

1899 1016 

2.  Closer  relations  desired  be- 

tween the  Churches.  Ac- 
tion of  the  Buffalo  Assem- 
bly, 1904 1016 

3.  Action  of  the  Mobile  Assem- 

bly, 1904  1016 

4.  Committee  of  Conference  ap- 

pointed by  the  Mobile  As- 
sembly, 1904   .    .  .1017 

5.  Informal  Conference  at  Pitts- 

burgh, Pa.;  1905     ....  1017 
The  Reformed  Church  in  the  U.  S. 
Report   of  the   Committee   on 
Church      Cooperation      and 
Union,  on  relations  with  the 
Reformed  Church,  U.  S.    .    .1017 
Work  among  the  Hungarians  in  the  U.  S. 

1.  Committee     on     Hungarian 

Work  appointed     ....  1018 

2.  Report     of    Committee    on 

Hungarian  Work,  1903    .  1018 

3.  Report     of    Committee     on 

Hungarian  Work,  1904     .  1019 

4.  Cooperation  as  to  Hungarian 

Religious  Work  urged. 
Committee  of  Conference 

appointed 1020 

VI.  Powers  of  General  Superin- 
tendence. 


THE    FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 


lv 


].  The  Boards  and  Permanent 

Committees. 
i.  General  Matters. 

1.  Rule  as  to  Members  of  the 

Boards,  etc 1021 

2.  Salaried    Executive   Officers 

to  be  approved 1022 

3.  The  Charters  of  the  Boards 

and  the  rights  of  the  As- 
sembly       1022 

4.  Budget   for    the    Boards    at 

each  Assembly 1025 

5.  Report  on  the  Administrative 

and    Legal  Status   of   the 
Boards   received    through 
the  Reunion  of  1906  .    .    .  1025 
ii.  The  Separate  Boards, 
i.  Board  of  Home  Missions. 

1.  Regulations    for    the   distri- 

bution of  Home  Mission 
Funds 1026 

2.  Presbytery  of  Cimarron  as- 

signed to  Home  Mission 
Board 1026 

3.  College    assigned    to    Home 

Mission  Board 1026 

4.  Associate      Secretaries     ap- 

proved .        .        .    .  1026 

5.  Centennial  of  Home  Mission 

Work 1027 

6.  Regulations  for  the  conduct 

of    Synodical    Home   Mis- 
sion Work 1027 

7.  Plan  of  Sustentation  for  Min- 

isters in  active  service 
approved      1027 

8.  The  Reports  of  the  Special 

Committee  o  n  \V  o  r  k 
among  the  Immigrants, 
1903-04    .......  1028 

9.  The   Board    of   Home    Mis- 

sions the  unifying  agency 
of  Work  among  the  Immi- 
grants   1028 

10.  The  conference  between  the 

Board  of  Home  Missions 
and  the  Self-supporting 
Synods     .    . 1028 

11.  Action  of  the  Assembly  on 

Work  among  the  Immi- 
grants        1029 

12.  Plan  of  Evangelistic  Work 

by  the  Board  of  Home 
Missions 1030 

13.  Relations  of  the   Boards   of 

Home  Missions  and  Pub- 
lication in  Sabbath-school 
Missionary  Work   ....  1031 
ii.  Board  of  Foreign  Missions. 

1.  Questions  authorized  for  lay 

candidates 1031 

2.  Conditions  for  engagement  in 

new  work 1031 

3.  Plan  and  Rules  of  Comity  on 

the  Foreign  Field  ....  1031 

4.  Action  as  to  the  theological 


qualifications  of  mission- 
aries       1032 

5.  Union    Educational    Institu- 

tions to  teach  views  in 
harmony  with  the  Stand- 
ards .    .        1033 

6.  Approval  of  Salaried  Execu- 

tive Officers 1033 

7.  Ecumenical  Missionarv  Con- 

ference of  1900  approved  1033 

8.  Action  as  to  the  Centennial 

of  Chinese  Missions   .    .       1034 
iii.  Board  of  Education. 

1.  Directions  as  to  applications 

of  candidates  seeking  aid  .  1034 

2.  Discretion  allowed  as  to  ap- 

plication of  rules  in  certain 
cases 1034 

3.  Board  to  cooperate  with  Syn- 

odical Education  Commit- 
tees   1035 

4.  Action  authorized  for  the  re- 

turn of  a  legacy  10o5 

5.  Directions   as   to  Work   for 

Foreign  Immigrants  .    .    .  1035 
iv.  Board  of  Publication. 

1.  Rule  as  to  the  employment 

of  colporteurs 1035 

2.  Directions  as  to  the  invest- 

ment of  funds 1035 

3.  Approval  of  Salaried  Execu- 

tive Officers 1035 

4.  Relations  of  the   Boards  of 

Home  Missions  and  Pub- 
lication in  Sabbath-school 
Missionary  Work   ....  1036 

5.  Board    given    authority    to 

make  administrative 
changes 1036 

6.  Directions  as  to  work  among 

foreign-speaking  peoples  .  1036 

7.  Directions   as   to  a    Depart- 

ment of    Young   People's 

Work ;    •    •    •  103(3 

v.  Board  of  Church  Erection. 

1.  Rules  for  grants  for  church 

buildings 1037 

2.  Directions  as  to  the  manse 

funds 1038 

3.  Board  authorized  to  amend 

its  charter    .    .    .    .    .    .    .  1038 

4.  Churches  desiring  aid  to  con- 

sult with  the  Board  before 
building   ....  .    .  1038 

5.  Mortgage  upon  a  church  re- 

leased     1038 

vi.  Board  of  Relief. 

1.  Amendments  to  rules    .    .    .  1039 

2.  By-law    as    to    Investments 

approved      1039 

3.  Closing      of       Westminster 

House  approved     ....  1039 

4.  Additional    Endowment  ap- 

proved       1040 

5.  Apportionment     upon      the 

churches  approved  .  .  .  1040 


Ivi 


SYLLABUS  TO  THE  SUPPLEMENT. 


6.  Churches  to  give  reasons  for 

failure  to  make  offerings  .  1040 
vii.  The  Freedmen's  Board. 

1.  Salaried    Executive    Officer 

approved 1040 

2.  Debt  of  the  Board  liquidated  1040 
viii.  The  College  Board. 

1.  The      College     Endowment 

Commission  established     .  1041 

2.  Name  of  the  Board  changed 

and  sphere  enlarged  .    .    .  1041 

3.  Constitution   of    the    Board, 

1904 1041 

4.  Transfer  of  property  to  the 

College  Board  ordered  .    .  1042 

5.  Christian  Basis  of  Education 

approved 1042 

6.  Salaried  officer  confirmed     .  1042 
ix.  Committee  on  Systematic  Be- 
neficence. 

1.  Appropriations  voted     .    .    .  1043 
x.  Permanent  Committee  on  Tem- 
perance. 

1.  Board    of     Publication    in- 

structed to  print  literature  1043 

2.  Pages  in  Assembly  Herald      .  1043 

3.  Interdenominational  Confer- 

ence approved 1043 

4.  Temperance  missionaries  au- 

thorized     1043 

5.  Appointment    of     Advisory 

members  authorized  ■    .    .  1043 

6.  Petitions   to  U.  S.  Govern- 

ment      1043 

xi.  The  Assembly  Herald. 

1.  Establishment  of  the  (new) 

Assembly  Herald      .        .    .  1043 

2.  New  Committee  of  Manage- 

ment appointed 1044 

xii.   Committee    on    Evangelistic 
Work. 

1.  Action  of  the  Assembly  of 

1901      1044 

2.  Committees  appointed,  1901, 

1906      1045 

3.  Employment    of  evangelists 

authorized        1045 

4.  Powers  of  the  Committee  .    .  1045 

5.  Presbyteries  and   Synods  to 

cooperate 1045 

6.  Primary  responsibility  upon 

pastors  and  Sessions.  Com- 
mittee to  pass  upon  quali- 
fications of  evangelists  .    .  1045 

7.  Pastors   to    be    sought    with 

special  evangelistic  gifts  .  1046 

8.  Interdenominational      evan- 

gelistic    movements      ap-  1046 
proved      

9.  The  Evangelistic  Committee 

and    the   Board   of  Home 

Missions 1046 

xiii.  Permanent     Committee     on 

Young  People's  Work  .  1046 
xiv.  Ministerial  Sustentation 

Fund. 


1.  Report  of  Committee  on  Sus- 

tentation, 1903 1046 

2.  Plan  of  Sustentation  for  Min- 

isters approved 1046 

3.  Membership  of  the  Commit- 

tee, 1906 1047 

xv.  The    Permanent    Committee 
on  Christian  Work  among 
Seamen  and  Soldiers. 
1.  Action     of     the    Assemblv, 

1906      .    .    .  _ 1047 

xvi.  The    Presbyterian    Brother- 
hood. 

1.  Committee      appointed     on 

Men's  Societies 104S 

2.  Organization  of  the  Brother- 

hood authorized      ....  1048 

3.  Constitution  of  the  Brother- 

hood approved    ...        .  1049 
II.  The  Theological  Seminaries. 
i.  General  Matters. 

1.  Conference  of  the  Seminaries 

requested  on  certain  mat- 
ters     1050 

2.  Action  of  the  Conference  of 

the  Seminaries 1050 

3.  Aid  to  students       1050 

4.  Rules  as  to  the  Seminaries  to 

be  listed  in  the  Minutes     .  1050 

5.  Instruction    in    Sabbath- 

school  work  recommended  1051 

6.  Seminary     Reports      to     be 

fuller 1051 

7.  Examinations  on  the  Stand- 

ards to  be  held 1051 

8.  Instruction  to  be  given  on  the 

work  of  the  Boards    .    .    .  1051 

9.  Instruction  urged  in  the  Eng- 

lish Bible 1051 

10.  Instruction  in   Missions   ad- 

vised      1052 

11.  Courses  for  Evangelists  rec- 

ommended          1052 

12.  Uniform  usage  as  to  the  De- 

gree of  Bachelor  of  Arts 
recommended      1052 

13.  Students    passing   from    one 

Seminary  to  another  must 
present  satisfactory  testi- 
monials     1052 

14.  Elections  of  Directors   .    .    .  1052 

15.  Elections  of  Professors  .    .    .  1052 
ii.  The  Separate  Institutions. 

i.  Princeton  Theological  Seminary. 

1.  Changes  in  the  Plan  of  the 

Seminary 1053 

2.  Act  of  the  New  Jersey  Legis- 

lature     "...  1054 

3.  An  Ordinance  respecting  the 

Degree  of  Bachelor  of  Di- 
vinity or  Theology     .    .    ■  1055 
ii.  Western  Theological  Seminary. 

1.  Amendments  to  the  Plan  of 

the  Seminary 1055 

2.  Action  as  to  certain  property 

interests 1056 


THE    FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT. 


h 


iii.  Theological  Seminary  of  Ken- 
tucky. 

1.  Act  consenting  to  the  consoli- 

dation of  Danville  and 
Louisville  Theological 
Seminaries 1056 

2.  Agreement  for  consolidation 

of  the  Presbyterian  The- 
ological Seminaries  at 
Danville  and  Louisville, 
creating  the  Presbyterian 
Theological  Seminary  of 
Kentucky 1060 

3.  Action   of  the  Assembly  of 

1902      1064 

4.  Approval  of  the  Constitution 

of  the  Seminary      ....  1064 
iv.  McCormick  Theological  Semi- 
nary. 
1.  Amendments  to  the  Constitu- 
tion approved 1064 


v.  Omaha  Theological  Seminary. 
1.  Changes  in  the  Constitution 

approved 1064 

vi.  Lebanon  Theological  Seminary  1065 
IV.  Affiliated  Organizations. 
American  Bible  Society. 

1.  Presbyterial    Committees    to 

be  appointed 1065 

American  Tract  Society. 

1.  Presbyterial    Committees    to 

be  appointed 1065 

Section  7. 

1.  Deliverance    against    Biennial 

or  Triennial  Assemblies    .    .  1066 
Section  8. 

1.  One    Assembly  cannot  control 

another  as  to  place  of  meet- 
ing          1067 

2.  Emergency  Committee  to  pro- 

vide  new  place  of  meeting 
appointed 1067 


Chapter  XIII.     Of  Electing  and  Ordaining  Ruling  Elders  and  Deacons. 


Section  2. 

A  congregation  has  the  right  to 
elect  Elders  as  to  it  may  seem 

best 1067 

Section  4. 

Ordination    of    a    Ruling    Elder 


not    invalidated    by  failure   to 

read  the  Confession 1068 

Section  6. 

1.  To  whom  an  Elder  or  Deacon 

should  resign 1068 


Chapter  XIV. 


Of  Licensing  Candidates  or  Probationers  to  Preach  the 
Gospel. 


Section  3. 

1.  Constitutional  Rule  No.  3    .    .  1069 

2.  Form   of  application    for   can- 

didates      1069 

3.  Presbyteries   to   exercise   vigi- 

lance as  to  candidates    .    .    .  1070 

4.  College   graduation   to   be   in- 

sisted upon 1070 

5.  Duties  of  Committees  on  Edu- 

cation stated 1070 

Sections  4  and  5. 

1.  Presbytery  has  discretion  as  to 

the  Latin  Exegesis     ....  1070 


2.  Lecture   and   sermon   may   be 

heard  by  Committee  ....  1071 
Section  6. 

1.  Amendment  as  to  Limitation  of 

Time  of  Licensure  of  candi- 
dates      1071 

2.  Theological  course  to  be  taken 

in  approved  Institutions   .    .  1071 
Section  7. 

1.  Local  Evangelist  must  be  for- 
mally licensed  prior  to  ordi- 
nation   1071 


Chapter  XV.     Of  the  Election  and  Ordination  of  Bishops  or  Pastors 

and  Evangelists. 


Section  9. 

1.  Clause  added  as  to  salaries   •    .  1071 
Section  10. 

1.  Candidates,  except  those  for  for- 
eign fields,  to  be  ordained  by 
the     Presbytery    in     which 

they  are  to  labor 1072 

Section  11. 

1.  The  licensing  and  ordaining  of 
a  candidate  at  the  same  meet- 
ing not  commended   ....  1072 


Section  14. 

1.  Licentiate  when  ordained 
ceases  to  be  a  member  of  a 
local  church 1072 

Section  16. 

1.  New  Section    16  added,  as  to 

Ministers     from    other    De- 
nominations      1073 

2.  Reception  of  Ministers  from  the 

Presbyterian  Church   South  1073 


Chapter  XVII.     Of  Resigning  a  Pastoral  Charge. 
1.  New  Section  2  added,  as  to  Pastor  Emeritus 1073 


Iviii 


SYLLABUS  TO  THE  SUPPLEMENT. 


Chapter  XVIII.  Of  Missions  (Reference) 1073 

Chapter  XIX.     Of  Moderators  (Reference) 1073 

Chapter  XX.     Of  Clerks  (Reference) 1074 

Chapter  XXI.    Of  Vacant  Congregations  Assembling  for  Public  Worship. 

.    .    1075 


Sections  2-4. 

1.  Three  sections  added  to  Chap- 

ter XXI 1074 

2.  Vacant  church  defined  ....  1074 

3.  Synodical    Missionary    cannot 

act  in  vacant  churches  inde- 
pendently of  Presbytery    .    .  1075 
4    Declaration   that   a    pulpit    is 


vacant  commended  .    . 

5.  Committee    on    Vacancy    and 

Supply  appointed 1075 

6.  Final    Report    of   Committee, 

1905      1075 

Plan  of  Vacancy  and  Supply    .  1075 

7.  Recommendation  as  to  preach- 

in":  of  Secretaries 1077 


Chapter  XXII.     Of  Commissioners  to  the  General  Assembly 

2 


1.  Commissioners  seated  upon  peti- 
tion of  a  majority  of  Presby- 
tery   " 1077 


Commissioner  enrolled  who  was 
present  at  place  of  meeting, 
but  absent  from  the  Assembly 
through  illness 1077 


Chapter  XXIII.     Of  the  Organizations  of  the   Church:    Their  Rights 

and  Duties. 

1.  Text  of  New  Chapter 1078  I  2.  Societies  organized  under  Chap- 
ter XXIII 1078 


Chapter  XXIV.     Of  Amendments. 


1.  Renumbering  of  Chapter  ordered  1078 
Section  1. 

1.  Amendments  to  the  Adminis- 
trative Standards 1079 

The  Form  of  Government     .    .    .  1079 
The  Book  of  Discipline         .    .    .  1079 
The  Directory  for  Worship  .    .    .  1079 
Section  2. 

1.  Amendments  to  the  Doctrinal 

Standards 1079 

The  Confession  of  Fiith   .    .    .    .1079 

2.  Return  of  the  written  votes  of 

the  Presbyteries  on  Revision  1079 

3.  Appointment  of  Committee  of 

Canvass 1080 

4.  Summary  of  the  State  of  the 

Vote  on  Revision 1080 

5.  Report   of  the    Committee   of 

Canvass,  and  Enactments  by 

the  General  Assembly       .    .  1080 

6.  Resolution   of    Enactment    for 

the  whole  Revision    ....  1080  | 


7.  Declaration  by  the  Moderator  1081 

8.  Necessary  changes   committed 

to  the  Permanent  Committee 

on  the  Constitution    ....  1081 

9.  Action  as  to  the  vote  of  Foreign 

Presbyteries    ...•■..  1081 
10.  The  Reunion  and  Union  with 
the    Cumberland    Presbvte- 

rian  Church .  1081 

Section  3. 

1.  Appointment  of  Committee  on 

Revision 1082 

2.  Member  withdraws  because  of 

transfer  to  another  Synod     .  1082 
Section  6. 

1.  Amendments  declared  inopera- 

tive because  of  prior  agree- 
ment as  to  Reunion    .    .        .  1082 

2.  Amendments  sent  down  a  sec- 

ond time 1082 

3.  Declaration  as  to  adoption  of 

Overtures 1083 


PART  IV.     THE  BOOK  OF  DISCIPLINE. 


Chapter  I.     Of  Discipline: 


Section  3. 

1.  Entire    separation     from     the 

liquor  traffic  urged     ....  10S5 

2.  Persons  encouraging  the  liquor 

traffic  subject  to  discipline    .  1085 

3.  Educational  institutions  urged 

to  prohibit  the  use  of  liquor  1085 


Its  Nature,  Ends,  and  Subjects 
4 


Deliverance  against  the  license 

system 1085 

Section  5a.     [New  Section,  adopted 
1902.] 
1.  Distinction     between    judicial 
and  non-judicial  cases  estab- 
lished    1085 


THE    BOOK    OF    DISCIPLINE. 


lix 


Chapter  III.     Of  Charges  and  Specifications. 

Section  15. 

1.  Synod  may  not  order  trial  on  other  than  original  charges     .    . 


108G 


Chapter  IV.     Of  Process:  General  Rcles  Pertaining  to  all  Cases. 


Section  18. 

1.  Teachings  of  Dr.  A.  C.  McGif- 
fert  referred  to  the  Presby- 
tery of  New  York  as  the 
body  having  primary  respon- 
sibility       108G 

Section  19. 

1.  Judicial  Suspension  may  not  be 

without  formal  trial  ....  1086 


Section  26. 

1.  Section  20  amended  as  to  eligi- 
bility of  counsel 1087 

Section  29. 

1.  Presbytery  cannot  be  required 

to  furnish  Synod  Record  of 
Case 1087 

2.  No  time  specified  for  furnish- 

ing Record  of  Case    ....  1087 


Chapter  VI.     General  Rules  Pertaining  to  the  Trial  of  a  Minister, 

Elder,  or  Deacon. 

Section  44. 

1.  Deposition   carries  with   it  removal  from  the  Roll 1087 


Chapter  VII.     Of  Cases  AVithoct  Process. 


Section  49. 

1.  Reserve  Roll   for  non-resident 

members  only 1088 

2.  Title   of  Reserve   changed   to 

Suspended  Roll 1088 

Section  51. 

1.  Ministers  cannot  be  required  to 


seek  demission 1089 

2.  Demission  allowable  only  after 

a  year's  probation 1089 

Section  58. 

Names      of     absentee     ministers 
erased  from  the  Roll 1090 


Chapter  VIII.     Of  Evidence. 

Section  68. 

1.  Case  referred  back  because  of  alleged  new  evidence  . 


1090 


Chapter  IX.     I.  Of  General  Review  and  Control. 


Section  72. 

Proceedings  must  be  correctly  re- 
corded    1090 

Section  74. 

1.  Amended  by  omission  of  words 

in  last  clause 1091 

2.  A  judicial  decision  cannot  be 

reversed  by  review  of  records  1091 
Section  76. 

1.  Primary    inquiry    in     certain 

cases  belongs  to  Synod  .    .    ■  1091 
III.  Of  Complaints. 
Section  83. 

1.  Amended    so   as    to   apply  to 

administrative  cases  ....  1092 

2.  Complaints    must    go    to    the 

next  superior  judicatory  ■    •  1092 

3.  Memorials  cannot  be  regarded 

as  complaints 1092 

4.  Complaint    cannot    be    taken 

against  discretion  of  a  judi- 
catory     1092 

5.  Complaints   dismissed    and    no 
1093 


reason  given 


Section  84. 

1.  Notice  must  be  served  .    .    .    .  1093 

2.  Committee  on  Time  of  Notice 

of  Complaint  and  Appeal 
appointed •    •  1093 

3.  Report  of  Committee.     Notice 

to  be  given  within  ten  days 
after  action.  Judicatories  to 
provide  for  counsel    ....  1093 

Section  85. 

1.  Amended  so  as  to  apply  only  to 

administrative  cases      .    •    •  1094 

Section  87. 

1.  Amended  so  as  to  apply  only  to 

administrative  cases  .        •    •  1094 

2.  A  complaint  in  a  non-judicial 

case    may  be    referred   to  a 

Committee 1°95 

Section  88. 

1.  Amended  so  as  to  apply  only  to 

administrative  cases  ....  1095 
Section  89. 

1.   Amended   by  striking  out  the 

words,  "in  cases  non-judicial"  1095 


lx 


SYLLABUS  TO  THE  SUPPLEMENT. 


2.  Judicatories  to  provide  for  the 

appointment  of  Counsel     .    .  1095 
Section  91. 

1.  Amended  by  substituting  com- 
plaint for  appeal 1095 

Section  93. 

1.  This   Section   stricken    out   as 

unnecessary 1096 

IV.  Of  Appeals. 
Section  94. 

1.  Amended  as  to  method  of  hear- 

ing judicatory  appealed  from  1096 

2.  Appeal  withdrawn  for  the  peace 

of  the  Church     ......  1096 

3.  Final  judgments  subject  to  re- 

versal only  by  appeal    .    .    .  1096 

4.  Memorials  not  proper  in  a  ju- 

dicial case 1097 

5.  Complaint   in   a   judicial  case 

sustained,  but  no  action  taken 
because   original    party   did 

not  appeal 1097 

Section  95. 

1.  Amended  by  striking  out  the 

words  "  or  complaint"  .    .    .1097 

2.  Appeal  cannot  be  taken  against 

discretion  of  a  judicatory  .    .  1098 

3.  Appeal  cannot  be  taken  against 

obedience  to  the  instructions 

of  an  Assembly 1098 

4.  Appeal  cannot  be  taken  in  a 

case  adjudicated  by  the  As- 
sembly     .  1098 

5.  Dismissed  because  no  question 

of  doctrine    or   constitution 
involved 1098 

6.  Dismissed  because  appeal  pend- 

ing before  Synod 1098 

Section  96. 

1.  Appeal   dismissed    because  no 
sufficient  evidence  that  speci- 
fications were  filed     ....  1098 
Dissent  entered  from  judgment  1099 
Section  99. 

1.  Amended  by  striking  out  pro- 
vision for  hearing  members 
of  judicatory  appealed  from  1100 
Section  99  (4). 

I.  Judgments  appealed  from  and 

affirmed 1100 


II.  Judgments  reversed,  modified, 

or  remanded 1100 

a.  Bose  Case. 

1.  Synod  instructed  to  inquire 

into  constitutionality  of  its 
action "  .    .    .  1100 

2.  Judgment  reversed   because 

unconstitutional.  Obedi- 
ence to  orders  of  Synod  by 
Presbytery  made  the  case 
res  adjudicata 1100 

3.  Protest  in  the  Bose  Case  .    .1102 
6.  Marsh  Case. 

1.  Case  remanded  to  Synod  with 
orders  to  affirm  the  judg- 
ment of  Presbytery    .    .    .1102 

c.  McCullough  Case. 

1.  Case  referred  to  Synod  with 

orders  to  try 1103 

d.  The  ^\Tarszawiak  Case. 

1.  Judgment  reversed  and  case 

remanded  because  the 
Synod  had  no  right  to  in- 
struct for  retrial.  Synod 
could  not  act  while  appeal 
was  pending 1103 

2.  One  Assembly  has  no  right 

to  interpret  judgment  of 
another  Assembly.  Case 
terminated  without  fur- 
ther trial 1104 

e.  The  Williamsport  Case. 

1.  Case  remanded  with  instruc- 

tions to  Synod  to  remit  to 
Presbytery  for  reconsidera- 
tion and  action 1105 

2.  Without    sustaining    appeal 

case  remanded  to  Synod 
with  instructions  to  Pres- 
bytery to  modify  its  plan 
of  settlement 1105 

3.  Appeal     cannot     be     taken 

against  obedience  to  in- 
structions of  the  Assembly  1105 

4.  Appeal    dismissed    and    ap- 

pellants advised  to  organ- 
ize a  separate  church         .  1105 
/.  Other  cases  remanded,  etc.  1106 
Section  101. 

1.  Records  must  be  sent  up  .    .    .  1106 


Chapter  X.     Of  Dissents  and  Protests. 


Section  105. 

1.  Protest      against      "separate" 

Presbyteries 1106 

2.  Protest  against  Union  with  the 

Cumberland        Presbvterian 
Church "    "    :    ■  nf)7 

3.  Answer  to  the  Protest  on  Union  1107 


4.  Other    Dissents    and    Protests 

entered 1108 

Section  107. 

1.  Amendment  providing  for  pro- 
tests as  to  Judicial  Commis- 
sions      1108 


Chapter  XII.     Of  Removals  and  Limitations  of  Time. 


Section  114. 

1.  Session  instructed  to  give  letter 

of  dismission 1109 

2.  Letter  cannot  be  given  to  sus- 

pended  member   unless    re- 


pentant      1109 

3.  Form  authorized  for  letters  of 

dismissal 1109 

4.  Removal   notices   of  members 

authorized 1109 


THE    DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP. 

Chapter  XIII.     Of  Judicial  Commissions. 


lxi 


Section  118. 

1.  Judicial  Commission  must  be 
organized  in  accordance  with 
the  provisions  of  the  Book 
of  Discipline 1110 


2.  Judicial  Committee  appointed 

as  Judicial  Commission     .    .1110 

3.  Judicial       Commissions       ap- 

pointed, 1898-1906    ....  1110 


PART  V.     THE  DIRECTORY  FOR  WORSHIP. 


Chapter  I.     On  the  Sanctification  op  the  Lord's  Day. 


Section  1. 

1.  The  religious  rights  of  cadets 
at  the  LT.  S.  Xaval  Academy 
asserted 1111 

Section  2. 

1.  The  Committee  on  Sabbath  Ob- 

servance   1111 

2.  Methods   for  Sabbath   Observ- 

ance commended    1111 

3.  Action  as  to  Sabbath-closing  of 

Public  Expositions     .    .    .    .1112 

4.  Discontinuance  of  Sunday  ex- 

cursions urged 1113 


5.  Political  conferences  on  Sunday 

condemned 1113 

6.  Employers  of  labor  to  secure 

minimum  of  Sunday  labor    .  1113 

7.  Sabbath-school  lesson  to  be  pre- 

pared   on    Sabbath    Observ- 
ance       1113 

8.  Sabbath    Observance   Commit- 

tees to  be  organized  in  Pres- 
byteries and  Synods  .    .    .    .1113 
Section  6. 

1.  Instruction  in  the  Shorter  Cat- 
echism emphasized    .    .    .    .111-1 


Chapter  V.     Of  Public  Prayer. 


Section  4. 

1.  Appointment  of  Committee  on 

Forms  and  Services   ....  1114 

2.  Names  of  Members  of  the  Com- 

mittee   1114 


3.  Reports  of  the  Committee    .    .1115 

4.  Action  of  the  Assembly  of  1905  1115 

5.  Action  of  the  Assembly  of  1906  1115 


Chapter  VI.     Of  the  Worship  of  God  by  Offerings. 


1.  Amended  by  the  insertion   of  a 

new  section 1117 

2.  Dutv   of   the   Churches    to    the 

Boards 1117 


3.  Duty  of  Presbytery  as  to  system- 

atic giving  1117 

4.  Duty  of  Sessions  as  to  offerings    .1117 

5.  Subscription    blanks,  etc.,  to   be 

furnished  free 1118 


Chapter  IX.     Of  the  Administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 


1.  The  kind  of  wine  left  to  the  de- 
termination of  Session  ....  1118 


2.  Ruling  Elders  cannot  administer 

the  Sacraments 1118 


Chapter  XIV.     Of  the  Burial  of  the  Dead. 
1.  Funerals  on  the  Lord's  Day  disapproved 


1118 


PART  I. 

HISTORICAL    DOCUMENTS. 


II.    THE  ADOPTION,  ETC.,  OF  THE  STANDARDS. 

[See  Preamble  to  Declaratory  Statement,  p.  959 ;  also  Concurrent 
Declaration  No.  1,  p.  892;  and  Confession  of  Faith,  *p.  932,  seq.~] 

III.  PUBLICATION  OF  THE  CONSTITUTION,  ETC. 

1.  New  Edition  of  the  Constitution,  1904. 

a.  The  Permanent  Committee  on  Editions  of  the  Constitution  respect- 
fully report  that  the  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school  Work, 
during  the  past  year,  and  under  the  supervision  of  the  Committee,  issued 
a  new  edition  of  the  Constitution,  with  the  amendments  of  and  additions 
to  the  Confession  of  Faith  inserted  in  their  proper  places,  and  also  with 
the  Declaratory  Statement  at  the  end  of  the  Confession. — 1904,  p.  25. 

b.  Overture  No.  68,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Wellsborough,  is  as 
follows  : 

"Shall  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  be  authorized  and 
instructed  to  prepare  a  Preface  to  the  Constitution  of  the  Church,  in 
which  shall  be  placed  matter  of  a  historical  nature  which  shall  plainly 
and  briefly  set  forth  the  origin  of  the  Westminster  Standards,  their 
adoption  by  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.,  and  the  particulars 
in  which  they  have  been  amended  from  time  to  time  ;  the  Preface  con- 
templated to  be  somewhat  similar  to,  and  to  take  the  place  of,  the 
Historical  Summary  now  printed  in  the  editions  of  the  Constitution." 

It  is  recommended  that  the  Stated  Clerk  be  instructed  as  desired. — 
1905,  p.  83. 

2.  Reprinting  of  the  Minutes,  1706  to  1869. 

The  Special  Committee  on  the  Reprinting  of  the  Minutes  presented  its 
Report,  which  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

The  Special  Committee  on  the  Reprinting  of  the  Minutes,  consisting  of 
the  Stated  and  Permanent  Clerks,  respectfully  reports  that  the  work 
entrusted  to  its  members  some  years  past  has  been  completed  by  the  publi- 
cation of  a  new  edition  of  the  volume  entitled  Records  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  with  the  addition  of  a  long-needed  Index.  Previously  the  Com- 
mittee had  supervised  the  republication  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Old  and 
New  School  General  Assemblies.  As  a  result  of  the  work  done,  the 
Records  of  the  Supreme  Judicatories  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
58  913 


914  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

U.  S.  A.,  from    1706    to    1869,  with    accompanying    statistics   and    full 
indexes,  have  now  been  issued  in  nine  volumes,  as  follows  : 

a.  Records  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  viz.,  Minutes  of  the  General 
Presbytery,  1706  to  1716  ;  Minutes  of  the  General  Synod,  1717  to  1758  ; 
Minutes  of  the  Synod  of  New  York,  1745  to  1758  ;  Minutes  of  the  Synod 
of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  1758  to  1788.     One  vol.,  8vo. 

b.  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly,  1789  to  1837.     Two  vols.,  8vo. 

c.  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
U.  S.  A.,  1838  to  1869.     (Old  School.)     Four  vols.,  8vo. 

d.  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
U.  S.  A.,  1838  to  1869.     (New  School.)     Two  vols.,  8vo. 

The  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school  Work  met  the  entire 
expense  of  printing  and  publishing  the  above  Records  and  Minutes,  and 
has  named  moderate  prices  for  them,  as  follows:  The  Records,  $1  ;  the 
volumes  of  the  Minutes,  $1.25  each.  The  cost,  therefore,  of  the  entire 
set  is  $11.00. 

The  Committee  has  also  edited  and  the  Board  issued,  as  a  part  of  the 
Records  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  the  important  historical  document 
entitled  The  Minutes  of  the  Convention  of  Delegates  from  the  Synods  of 
New  York  and  Philadelphia,  and  from  the  Associations  of  Connecticut, 
held  annually  from  1766  to  1775  inclusive.  As  stated  last  year,  this 
Convention  was  proposed  by  the  General  Synod  of  this  Church  "in  order 
to  secure  a  general  agreement  for  measures  which  may  be  adopted  to  pre- 
serve our  religious  liberties  against  all  encroachments,  and  to  bless  the 
benighted  heathen  on  our  borders  with  the  glorious  light  of  the  Gospel." 

The  following  recommendations  are  offered  for  adoption  : 

1.  That  the  thanks  of  the  General  Assembly  are  hereby  tendered  to 
the  Presbyterian  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school  Work  for  the 
printing  and  publishing  of  the  entire  series  of  the  Records  and  Minutes  of 
the  Supreme  Judicatories  of  this  Church  from  1706  to  1869. 

2.  That  the  Committee  on  the  Reprinting  of  the  Minutes  be  continued 
with  directions  to  inquire  as  to  the  existence  of  other  early  documents 
which  may  be  of  value  in  connection  with  the  Records  of  the  Church. 
The  Committee  is  also  authorized  to  distribute  twenty-five  copies  of  the 
Minutes  of  the  Convention  of  Delegates,  held  from  1766  to  1775,  to  the 
libraries  of  theological  seminaries  and  colleges. — 1904,  pp.  25-27. 

3.  New  Digest,  Authority  for. 

The  Special  Committee  on  the  Digest  would  respectfully  report  to  the 
General  Assembly  of  1899,  as  follows  : 

The  General  Assembly  of  1898  (Minutes,  p.  22)  directed  the  Com- 
mittee to  take  steps  with  reference  to  a  plan  for  another  edition  of  the 
Digest,  to  be  issued  in  due  time.  The  Committee,  after  due  consideration, 
believe  that  it  is  both  feasible  and  wise  to  gather  into  one  volume  what 
may  be  called  the  permanent  administrative  documents  of  the  Church, 
such  as  the  Plans  and  Charters  of  the  Theological  Seminaries,  the  Plans 
and  Charters  of  the  Missionary  and  Benevolent  Boards,  the  Charter  of 
the  Trustees,  etc.  This  disposition  of  these  documents  would  reduce  the 
size  of  the  Digest,  and  make  it  as  a  volume  less  costly  and  more  readily 
handled.  The  Committee  also  believe  that  the  work  of  gathering 
material  for  the  Digest  should  be  carried  on  steadily  from  year  to  year, 
and  in  the  office  of  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assembly.     The  Digest,  if  pre- 


HISTORICAL    DOCUMENTS.  915 

pared  by  this  method,  would  be  ready  for  publication  at  any  time  that 
the  Assembly  might  deem  advisable.  The  Committee,  therefore,  recom- 
mend the  passage  of  the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  Committee  on  the  Digest  be  authorized  to  gather 
into  a  separate  volume  the  permanent  historical  and  administrative 
documents  of  the  Church. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  Committee  be  authorized  to  employ  the  office 
force  of  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  upon  the  preparation 
of  material  for  a  future  Digest,  from  year  to  year,  as  may  be  required. — 
1899,  p.  18 ;  1906,  p.  167. 

IV.  PROOF-TEXTS  TO  THE  STANDARDS. 
1.  Revision,  Proof-texts,  1902. 

The  Supplementary  Report  on  Proof-texts  of  the  Special  Committee  on 
Revision  was  taken  up,  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

The  Committee  on  the  Revision  of  the  Credal  Statements  of  the  Church 
considered  the  matter  of  proof-texts  for  the  proposed  new  chapters  of  the 
Confession,  and  herewith  submits  to  the  General  Assembly  the  result  of 
its  deliberations  for  such  use  as  in  the  future  may  appear  to  be  wise. 

It  is  recommended  that  the  proof-texts  of  the  proposed  new  chapters  of 
the  Confession  of  Faith,  selected  by  the  Revision  Committee  of  1892,  be 
retained,  but  with  the  following  additions  and  omissious : 

In  Sect,  i,  on  the  chapter  "Of  the  Work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,"  we 
recommend  the  omission  of  John  xiv.  16, 17,  Matthew  xii.  31,  32,  and 
the  addition  of  the  3d  verse  of  Ephesians  iv  to  the  4th  and  30th 
verses  as  given.  In  Sect,  ii  no  change.  In  Sect,  iii  the  omission  of 
Acts  xxiv.  25.  In  Sect,  iv  the  omission  of  John  xiv.  16,  17,  Ephesians 
iii.  16  and  iv.  30,  aud  under  No.  2  the  addition  of  Romans  v.  5  and 
Ephesians  iii.  16,  and  that  the  reference  under  No.  2  begin  with  Ephe- 
sians i.  13.  In  Sect,  v  the  omission  of  Ephesians  iii.  10,  of  1  Timothy 
iii.  15,  Ephesians  iv.  3,  4,  Joel  ii.  28,  and  the  addition  under  No.  1  of 
Colossians  i.  18  and  Ephesians  iv.  15,  16. 

As  to  the  proposed  new  chapter  "Of  the  Love  of  God  and  Missions," 
we  recommend  no  change  in  the  proof-texts  of  Sect,  i ;  in  Sect,  ii  that 
in  place  of  John  iii.  11,  probably  a  misprint,  John  iii.  16  be  substituted, 
and  that  the  following  omissions  be  made  :  Luke  xix.  41,  42,  Mark  xi. 
1-15,  and  Acts  xvi.  14,  and  under  No.  3  we  would  add  to  John  iv.  14, 
verses  9-14,  same  chapter;  to  Hebrews  ii.  4  we  would  add  the  third  verse 
also  ;  in  Sect,  iii  we  recommend  the  omission  of  Proverbs  i.  24-26  ;  in 
Sect,  iv  no  change. — 1904,  p.  150. 

[See  for  Text  of  New  Chapters  of  the  Confession,  p.  958  of  this  Supple- 
ment] 


916  SUPPLEMENT   TO    DIGEST. 


HISTORICAL  DOCUMENTS— REUNIONS. 

REUNION  WITH  THE  CUMBERLAND  PRESBYTERIAN 

CHURCH. 

1.  Appointment  of  Committee  (P.*)  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union. 

In  reply  to  Overtures  Nos.  89-93,  101-105,  136,  and  157,  relating  to 
closer  cooperation  or  union  with  sister  denominations,  said  Overtures 
coming  from  the  Presbyteries  of  Dayton,  Denver,  Indianapolis,  Mattoon, 
Southern  Dakota,  Bismarck,  Fargo,  Minnewaukon,  Mouse  River,  Pem- 
bina and  Redstone,  and  from  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Presbyterian  Church,  we  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  reso- 
lution : 

Whereas,  The  Presbyterian  Church  holds  Christian  fellowship  with  all 
who  confess  and  obey  Jesus  Christ  as  their  Divine  Saviour  and  Lord, 
and  acknowledges  the  duty  of  all  Churches  that  recognize  Him  as  the 
only  Head  of  the  Church  Universal  to  work  together  in  harmony  and 
love  for  the  extension  of  His  kingdom  and  the  good  of  the  world  ;  and 

Whereas,  This  Assembly  earnestly  desires  to  commend  and  promote 
this  Christian  cooperation,  and  also  practically  to  advance  the  cause  of 
Church  Union  by  confederation,  and,  where  possible,  by  consolidation 
among  the  Churches  of  the  Reformed  Faith,  which  are  most  nearly  akin 
in  doctrine  and  organization ;  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  1.  That  a  Committee  of  seven,  four  ministers  and  three 
elders,  be  appointed  by  the  Moderator  to  consider  the  whole  subject  of 
cooperation,  confederation,  and  consolidation  with  other  Churches. 

Resolved,  2.  That  Overtures  Nos.  89-93,  101-105,  136,  and  157  be 
placed  in  the  hands  of  this  Committee  ;  and  that  they  be  instructed  to 
enter  into  correspondence  with  any  Churches  of  the  Reformed  family 
with  whom,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Committee,  such  correspondence 
would  be  likely  to  promote  closer  relations  ;  and  also  to  confer  with  the 
Congregational  Church  in  regard  to  the  practical  improvement  of  the 
plan  of  comity  referred  to  in  some  of  the  Overtures. 

Resolved,  3.  That  this  Committee  shall  report  to  the  next  Assembly 
such  plans  and  measures  as  seem  to  them  wise,  proper,  and  profitable  for 
the  advancement  of  fraternal  relations,  for  the  increase  of  harmonious 
work,  and,  if  God  shall  open  the  way,  and  incline  the  hearts  of  the 
Churches  thereto,  for  the  reunion  of  those  who  hold  the  same  faith  and 
order  in  the  service  of  Christ.     Adopted. — P.,  1903,  p.  90. 

2.  Membership,  Committee  (P.)  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union. 

a.  On  Church  Cooperation  and  Union. — Ministers — W.  H.  Roberts, 
D.D.,  W.  N.  Page,  D.D.,  John  R.  Davies,  D.D.,  Wilton  Merle  Smith, 
D.D.,  Reuben  H.  Hartley,  D.D.  Elders— EUsha  H.  Perkins,  Reuben 
Tyler,  E.  S.  Wells.— P.,  1903,  p.  169. 

*The  letter  P.  under  this  head  at  the  end  of  extracts  from  the  Minutes  and  else- 
where stands  for  the  Presbyterian  General  Assembly,  and  the  letters  C.  P.,  for  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  General  Assembly. 


HISTORICAL    DOCUMENTS.  917 

b.  That  the  number  of  the  Committee  ■  on  Cooperation,  Confederation, 
and  Consolidation  among  Christian  Churches  be  increased  to  ten,  the 
Moderator,  the  Rev.  Douglass  P.  Putnam,  D.D.,  and  the  Rev.  Charles 
A.  Dickey,  D.D.,  to  be  the  members  added.  Adopted. — P.,  1903,  p. 
147. 


3.  Appointment,  Committee  (C.  P.)  on  Fraternity  and  Union. 

"  We,  your  Committee  on  Overtures,  beg  leave  to  report  as  follows : 
That  your  committee  has  carefully  considered  all  memorials  and  reso- 
lutions on  the  subject  of  Organic  Union  that  have  been  submitted  to  us. 
We  note  with  pleasure  a  manifest  tendency  toward  closer  cooperation 
in  Christian  work  among  all  Protestant  denominations,  and  particularly 
a  disposition  among  ecclesiastical  families  which  are  allied  in  doctrine 
and  polity,  to  set  aside  their  minor  points  of  difference  and  to  emphasize 
only  things  essential.  This  tendency  is  in  accord  with  the  spirit  of  the 
Master  and  with  the  history  and  traditions  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  is  certainly  calculated  to  advance  the  kingdom  of 
God  among  men.  It  is  a  matter  for  devout  prayer  by  the  whole  Church, 
that  this  tendency  may  continue  in  its  growth  toward  closer  affiliation  and 
organic  union  among  the  members  of  the  Presbyterian  household  in  the 
United  States  until  there  shall  be  such  a  removal  of  the  differences  in 
doctrine,  polity,  and  social  conditions  as  will  insure  the  consummation 
and  realization  of  a  glorious  and  united  Presbyterianism  in  the  United 
States. 

"  We  therefore  recommend  to  the  General  Assembly  the  adoption  of 
the  following  resolutions : 

"  Resolved,  1.  That  a  Committee  of  Nine,  on  Presbyterian  Fraternity 
and  Union,  be  appointed  by  this  Assembly,  to  confer  with  such  like  com- 
mittees as  may  be  appointed  by  other  Presbyterian  bodies,  in  regard  to 
the  desirability  and  practicability  of  closer  affiliation  and  organic  union 
among  the  members  of  the  Presbyterian  family  in  the  United  States  ;  and 
if,  in  any  particular  case,  after  conference  and  investigation,  union  shall 
seem  to  be  desirable  and  practicable,  to  suggest  suitable  measures  for  its 
accomplishment,  and  to  report  such  basis  of  union  as  may  be  mutually 
agreed  upon  to  the  next  General  Assembly. 

"  Resolved,  2.  That  the  foregoing  resolution  be  reported  immediately 
to  the  Presbyterian  bodies  now  in  session,  and  in  due  course  to  all  other 
Presbyterian  bodies  in  the  United  States."  Adopted. — C.  P.,  1903,  pp. 
47,  48. 

4.  Appointment  of  Committee  (C.  P.)  on  Fraternity  and  Union. 

Reports  were  made  as  to  election  of  members  to  constitute  the  Assem- 
bly's Committee  on  Presbyterian  Fraternity  and  Union,  as  follows  : 

Chosen  by  the  Commissioners  from  the  Synods  of  Alabama,  Mississippi, 
and  Tennessee :  The  Rev.  Ira  Landrith,  of  Nashville,  Tennessee,  and 
Elder  E.  E.  Beard,  of  Lebanon,  Tennessee. 

Chosen  by  the  Commissioners  from  the  Synods  of  Arkansas,  Kentucky, 
and  Missouri:  The  Rev.  B.  P.  Fullerton,  D.D.,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and 
Judge  W.  E.  Settle,  of  Frankfort,  Kentucky. 


918  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

Chosen  by  the  Commissioners  from  the  Synods  of  Illinois,  Indiana, 
Iowa,  Kansas,  Ohio,  Oregon,  Pacific,  and  Pennsylvania,  the  Rev.  D.  E, 
Bushnell,  D.D.,  Alton,  Illinois,  and  Pres.  A.  E.  Turner,  of  Waynesburg, 
Pa. 

It  was  determined  that  there  should  be  an  enlargement  of  said  Com- 
mittee, and,  on  motion,  Rev.  W.  J.  Darby,  D.D.,  and  B.  G.  Mitchell, 
D.D.,  were  added  to  the  Committee. — C.  P.,  1903,  pp.  74,  75. 


5.  Telegrams  Announcing  Appointment  of  Committees. 

Nashville,  Tenn..  May  27,  1903. 
To  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.  : 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
to-day  adopted  the  following  resolution,  and  after  the  vote  the  Assembly 
joined  in  singing  the  Doxology,  and  was  led  in  a  prayer  of  thanksgiving 
for  unanimity  of  action  : 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  nine  on  Presbyterian  fraternity  and 
union  be  appointed  by  this  Assembly,  to  confer  with  such  like  Committees 
as  may  be  appointed  by  other  Presbyterian  bodies  in  regard  to  the  desir- 
ability and  practicability  of  closer  affiliation  and  organic  union  among  the 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  family  in  the  United  States  ;  and  if  in  any 
particular  case,  after  conference  and  investigation,  union  shall  seem  to  be 
desirable  and  practicable,  to  suggest  suitable  measures  for  its  accomplish- 
ment, and  to  report  such  basis  of  union  as  may  be  mutually  agreed  upon 
to  the  next  General  Assembly. 

J.  M.  Hubbert,  Stated  Clerk. 

C.  P.,  1903,  p.  56  ;  P.,  1903,  p.  122. 

Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  May  27,  1903. 

To    the    General  Assembly    of  the    Cumberland    Presbyterian     Church, 
Nashville,  Tenn.  : 

The  General  Assembly  at  Los  Angeles  receives  with  cordial  congratu- 
lations your  message  announcing  appointment  of  Committee  on  Presby- 
terian fraternity  and  union,  and  has  appointed  a  similar  Committee  for 
the  same  great  purposes. 

R.  F.  Coyle,  Moderator. 
Wm.  H.  Roberts,  Slated  Clerk. 
P.,  1903,  p.  122  ;  C.  P.,  1903,  p.  63. 

6.  Joint-report  on  Union,  1904. 

The  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  and  the  Committee  on  Fraternity 
and  Union  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  after  a  free  and 
full  interchange  of  views,  with  continued  supplications  for  Divine  guid- 
ance, earnestly  recommend  to  their  respective  General  Assemblies  for 
their  consideration,  and,  if  they  deem  proper,  for  their  adoption,  the 
accompanying  papers,  viz.  : 


HISTORICAL    DOCUMENTS.  919 

I.  Plan  of  Reunion  and  Union  of  the  two  Churches. 

II.  Concurrent  Declarations  to  be  adopted  by  the  respective  General 
Assemblies  meeting  in  1904. 

III.  Recommendations. 


I.    PLAN    OF    REUNION    AND    UNION    OF    THE    TWO    CHURCHES. 

We  believe  that  the  union  of  Christian  Churches  of  substantially 
similar  faith  and  polity  would  be  to  the  glory  of  God,  the  good  of 
mankind,  and  the  strengthening  of  Christian  testimony  at  home  and 
abroad 

We  believe  that  the  manifest  providential  developments  and  leadings 
in  the  two  Churches  since  their  separation,  together  with  present  condi- 
tions of  agreement  and  fellowship,  have  been  and  are  such  as  to  justify 
their  reunion. 

Therefore  we  cordially  recommend  to  our  respective  General  Assem- 
blies that  the  reunion  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
of  America  and  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  be  accomplished 
as  soon  as  the  necessary  steps  can  be  taken,  upon  the  basis  hereinafter  set 
forth. 

BASIS    OF    UNION. 

1.  The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  whose 
General  Assembly  met  in  the  Immanuel  Church,  Los  Angeles,  California, 
May  21,  1903,  and  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  whose  General 
Assembly  met  in  the  First  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  Nashville, 
Tennessee,  May  21,  1903,  shall  be  united  as  one  Church,  under  the  name 
and  style  of  The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  possessing  all  the  legal  and  corporate  rights  and  powers  which 
the  separate  Churches  now  possess. 

2.  The  union  shall  be  effected  on  the  doctrinal  basis  of  the  Confession 
of  Faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  as 
revised  in  1903,  and  of  its  other  doctrinal  and  ecclesiastical  Standards ; 
and  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  shall  be  acknowl- 
edged as  the  inspired  Word  of  God,  the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and 
practice. 

3.  Each  of  the  Assemblies  shall  submit  the  foregoing  Basis  of  Union 
to  its  Presbyteries,  which  shall  be  required  to  meet  on  or  before  April  30, 
1905,  to  express  their  approval  or  dissapproval  of  the  same  by  a  cate- 
gorical answer  to  this  question  : 

Do  you  approve  of  the  reunion  and  union  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  United  States  of  America  and  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church, 
on  the  following  basis  :  The  Union  shall  be  effected  on  the  doctrinal 
basis  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  as  revised  in  1903,  and  of  its  other  doctrinal  and 
ecclesiastical  Standards  ;  and  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments shall  be  acknowledged  as  the  inspired  Word  of  God,  the  only 
infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice  ? 

Each  Presbytery  shall,  before  the  10th  day  of  May,  1905,  forward  to 
the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assembly  with  which  it  is  connected  a  statement 
of  its  vote  on  the  said  Basis  of  Union. 


92 0  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

4.  The  report  of  the  vote  of  the  Presbyteries  shall  be  submitted  by  the 
respective  Stated  Clerks  to  the  General  Assemblies  meeting  in  1905,  and 
if  the  General  Assemblies  shall  then  find  and  declare  that  the  foregoing 
Basis  of  Union  has  been  approved  by  the  constitutional  majority  of  the 
Presbyteries  connected  with  each  branch  of  the  Church,  then  the  same 
shall  be  of  binding  force,  and  both  Assemblies  shall  take  action  accord- 
ingly. 


II.    CONCURRENT    DECLARATIONS. 

As  there  are  matters  pertaining  to  the  interests  of  the  Church  which 
will  manifestly  require  adjustment  when  the  reunion  shall  have  been 
accomplished,  and  conceruing  which  it  is  highly  desirable  that  there  shall 
be  a  previous  good  understanding,  the  two  Assemblies  agree  to  adopt  the 
following  Concurrent  Declarations,  as  in  their  judgment  proper  and 
equitable  arrangements  and  agreements  : 

1.  In  adopting  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America,  as  revised  in  1903,  as  a  Basis  of  Union,  it 
is  mutually  recognized  that  such  agreement  now  exists  between  the 
systems  of  doctrine  contained  in  the  Confessions  of  Faith  of  the  two 
Churches  as  to  warrant  this  union — a  union  honoring  alike  to  both. 
Mutual  acknowledgment  also  is  made  of  the  teaching  and  defense  of 
essential  evangelical  doctrine  held  in  common  by  these  Churches,  and  of 
the  Divine  favor  and  blessing  that  have  made  this  common  faith  and  ser- 
vice effectual. 

It  is  also  recognized  that  liberty  of  belief  exists  by  virtue  of  the  pro- 
visions of  the  Declaratory  Statement,  which  is  part  of  the  Confession  of 
Faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and 
which  states  that  "the  ordination  vow  of  ministers,  ruling  elders,  and 
deacons,  as  set  forth  in  the  Form  of  Government,  requires  the  reception 
and  adoption  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  only  as  containing  the  system  of 
doctrine  taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures."  This  liberty  is  specifically 
secured  by  the  Declaratory  Statement  as  to  Chap,  iii  and  Chap,  x,  Sec.  iii, 
of  the  Confession  of  Faith.  It  is  recognized,  also,  that  the  doctrinal  de- 
liverance contained  in  the  Brief  Statement  of  the  Reformed  Faith,  adopted 
in  1902  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  "for  a  better  understanding  of  our  doctrinal 
beliefs,"  reveals  a  doctrinal  agreement  favorable  to  reunion. 

2.  All  the  ministers  and  churches  included  in  the  two  denominations 
shall  be  admitted  to  the  same  standing  in  the  united  Church  which  they 
may  have  held  in  their  respective  connections  up  to  the  consummation  of 
the  reunion. 

3.  The  boundaries  of  the  several  Presbyteries  and  Synods  shall  be 
adjusted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  United  Church. 

4.  The  official  records  of  the  two  Churches  during  the  period  of  separa- 
tion shall  be  preserved  and  held  as  making  up  the  history  of  the  one 
Church. 

5.  As  soon  as  practicable  after  the  union  shall  have  been  effected  the 
General  Assembly  shall  reconstruct  and  consolidate  the  several  per- 
manent Committees  and  Boards  which  now  beloug  to  the  two  Assemblies, 
so  as  to  represent  with  impartiality  the  views  and  wishes  of  the  two  bodies 
constituting  the  reunited  Church. 


HISTORICAL    DOCUMENTS.  921 

6.  The  institutions  of  learning,  together  with  the  endowment  and  other 
property,  real  and  personal,  owned  by  them,  which  are  now  under  the 
control  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  shall  remain  in  charge 
of  and  be  controlled  by  the  Boards  of  Trustees,  or  other  managers  res- 
pectively, now  in  charge  of  such  institutions,  endowment,  and  property,  or 
by  their  successors  similarly  appointed  or  elected  ;  and  no  greater  control 
of  such  institutions,  their  property  or  affairs,  shall  be  exercised  by  the 
General  Assembly,  or  other  ecclesiastical  court  or  body,  of  the  reunited 
Church,  than  is  now  exercised  by  the  General  Assembly,  or  other  ecclesi- 
astical court  or  body,  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  Provided, 
that  the  governing  Board  of  any  of  said  institutions  of  learning  shall  be 
at  liberty  to  enter  into  such  special  arrangement  or  agreement  with  the 
ecclesiastical  body  controlling  it  as  may  enable  said  institution  to  preserve 
its  integrity  and  maintain  its  present  policy.  And  also  provided,  that 
nothing  in  this  declaration  shall  affect  the  relationship  or  control  of  any 
of  the  institutions  of  learning  now  connected  with  the  General  Assembly, 
or  other  ecclesiastical  court  or  body,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America. 

7.  The  corporate  rights  now  held  by  the  two  General  Assemblies  and 
by  their  Boards  and  Committees  shall  be  consolidated  and  applied  for 
their  several  objects  as  defined  and  permitted  by  law. 

8.  It  should  be  regarded  as  the  duty  of  all  our  judicatories,  ministers, 
and  people  to  study  the  things  which  make  for  peace,  to  guard  against  all 
needless  and  offensive  references  to  the  causes  which  have  divided  us,  and 
to  avoid  the  revival  of  past  issues. 


III.    RECOMMENDATIONS. 

1.  It  is  recommended  that  such  a  change  be  made  in  the  Form 
of  Government  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America  as  will  allow  additional  or  separate  Presbyteries  and  Synods 
to  be  organized  in  exceptional  cases,  wholly  or  in  part,  within  the 
territorial  bounds  of  existing  Presbyteries  or  Synods  respectively, 
for  a  particular  race  or  nationality,  if  desired  by  such  race  or  nation- 
ality. 

2.  The  foregoing  Basis  of  Union  and  eight  Concurrent  Declarations 
shall  be  submitted  to  the  respective  General  Assemblies  of  1904,  and  the 
above  recommendation,  numbered  1,  shall  be  submitted  to  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America 
meeting  in  1904  ;  and  this  entire  Plan  of  Union  shall  be  operative  when 
said  Basis  of  Union,  Concurrent  Declarations,  and  Recommendation  num- 
bered 1  shall  have  been  adopted  in  their  entirety,  and  where  necessary  by 
Presbyterial  action. 

3.  That  the  blessing  of  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  may  rest  upon 
the  results  of  our  efforts  for  Reunion  and  Union,  it  is  earnestly  recom- 
mended to  the  congregations  throughout  both  branches  of  the  Church  that 
they  observe  Sabbath,  September  18,  1904,  as  a  day  of  fervent  and  united 
prayer  to  Almighty  God,  that  He  would  grant  unto  us  all  "  the  spirit  of 
counsel  and  might,  the  spirit  of  knowledge  and  of  the  fear  of  the  Lord," 
and  in  the  new  relation  now  contemplated  enable  us  to  keep  "the  unity 
of  the  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace." 


922 


SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 


For  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Committee  : 

Wm.  Henry  Black, 

R.  M.  Tinnon, 

Daniel  E.  Bushnell, 

W.  J.  Darby, 

Ira  Landrith, 

b.  p.  fullerton, 

Samuel  Moore  Templeton, 

B.  G.  Mitchell, 

E.  E.  Beard, 

Warner  Ellmore  Settle, 

M.  B.  Templeton, 

A.  E.  Turner. 


For  the  Committee  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  U.  S.  A. : 

Wm.  Henry  Roberts, 
Chas.  A.  Dickey, 
Wm.  K  Page, 
Wilton  Merle  Smith, 
Reuben  Haines  Hartley, 
Douglas  P.  Putnam, 
E.  S.  Wells, 
Reuben  Tyler, 
Robert  F.  Coyle. 

P.,  1904,  pp.  135-137; 
C.  P.,  1904,  pp.  61a-65a. 


[Note.— For  Dissent  from  the  above  Report,  Protests  against  action  of  Assembly, 
and  Answer  to  Protest,  see  P.,  1904,  pp.  140,  157,  and  175.] 


7.  Action  of  the  Buffalo  (P.)  General  Assembly,  1904. 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  Joint-report  on  Union  with  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church  be  and  hereby  is  adopted. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  following  Basis  of  Union  be  sent  down  to  the 
Presbyteries,  which  shall  be  required  to  meet  on  or  before  April  30, 
1905,  to  express  their  approval  or  disapproval  of  the  same  by  a  direct 
answer  in  the  affirmative  or  negative  to  this  question  : 

Do  you  approve  of  the  reunion  and  union  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  United  States  of  America  and  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  on  the  following  basis :  The  union  shall  be  effected  on  the 
doctrinal  basis  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America,  as  revised  in  1903,  and  of  its  other  doc- 
trinal and  ecclesiastical  Standards  ;  and  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and 
New  Testaments  shall  be  acknowledged  as  the  inspired  Word  of  God,  the 
only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice? 

Each  Presbytery  shall,  before  the  10th  day  of  May,  1905,  forward  to 
the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assembly  a  statement  of  its  vote  on  the  said 
Basis  of  Union. 

Resolved,  3.  That  the  Report  of  the  vote  of  the  Presbyteries  shall  be 
submitted  by  the  Stated  Clerk  to  the  General  Assembly  meeting  in 
1905,  and  if  said  Assembly  shall  find  and  declare  that  the  foregoing 
Basis  of  Union  has  been  approved  by  two-thirds  of  the  Presbyteries 
of  this  Church,  then  the  necessary  steps  shall  be  taken,  if  the 
way  be  clear,  to  complete  the  union  with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Resolved,  4.  That  the  Assembly,  in  connection  with  this  whole  sub- 
ject of  union  with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  places  on 
record  its  judgment,  that  the  revision  of  the  Confession  of  Faith 
effected  in  1903  has  not  impaired  the  integrity  of  the  system  of  doc- 
trine contained  in  the  Confession  and  taught  in  Holy  Scripture,  but 
was  designed  to  remove  misapprehensions  as  to  the  proper  interpretation 
thereof. 


HISTORICAL    DOCUMENTS.  923 

Resolved,  5.  That  in  approving  the  Overture  looking  to  a  change  in  the 
Form  of  Government  concerning  the  territorial  bounds  of  Presbyteries 
and  Synods,  this  Assembly  affirms  its  complete  freedom  from  prejudice 
against  any  race  and  from  any  desire  or  purpose  to  bring  about  a  separa- 
tion from  our  Church,  or  from  representation  in  the  General  Assembly, 
of  any  class  or  race  of  Presbyterians ;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  our 
purpose  is  to  bring  together  in  one  Church  members  of  all  races  and  all 
classes.— P.,  1904,  p.  119. 

8.  Action  of  the  Dallas  (C.  P.)  General  Assembly,  1904. 

a.  Resolved,  1.  That  the  foregoing  Report  and  Supplemental  Report  of 
the  Committee  on  Presbyterian  Fraternity  and  Union,  appointed  by  the 
General  Assembly  in  1903,  be  received  and  spread  upon  the  Minutes  of 
this  General  Assembly,  and  that  the  included  Joint-report  on  Union  be 
adopted  ;  and  that  the  Basis  of  Union  be  and  is  recommended  to  the 
Presbyteries  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  for  their  approval 
or  disapproval. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  Moderator  and  the  Stated  Clerk  be  instructed  to 
submit  the  Basis  of  Union,  contained  in  said  report,  to  the  Presbyteries 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  in  the  usual  constitutional 
manner,  upon  receiving  official  notification  of  the  adoption  of  the  said 
Joint-report  on  Union  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.—  C.  P.,  1904,  p.  30. 

b.  On  the  proposition  to  submit  and  recommend  the  Plan  of  Union 
and  Reunion  to  the  Presbyteries,  236  votes  were  cast,  of  which  two-thirds, 
or  158  votes,  were  necessary  to  carry  the  measure.  As  will  be  seen  from 
the  foregoing  exhibit,  the  total  of  affirmative  votes  was  162,  and  the 
total  negative  vote  was  74,  therefore  the  Moderator  announced  that  the 
measure  had  been  carried  by  four  votes  more  than  was  required  by  the 
Constitution.— C.  P.,  1904,  p.  48. 

[Note.— The  Constitution  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  Article  60,  reads: 
"  Upon  the  recommendation  of  the  General  Assembly,  at  a  stated  meeting,  by  a  two- 
thirds  vote  of  the  members  thereof  voting  thereon,  the  Confession  of  Faith,  Catechism, 
Constitution,  and  Rules  of  Discipline  may  be  amended  or  changed  when  a  majority 
of  the  Presbyteries,  upon  the  same  being  transmitted  for  their  action,  shall  approve 
thereof."] 

9.  Enlargement  of  the  Committee  (P.)  on  Church  Cooperation  and 

Union,  1904. 

The  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union,  as  thus  enlarged,  is 
as  follows:  Ministers — William  H.  Roberts,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Chairman; 
Robert  F.  Coyle,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  W.  N.  Page,  D.D.,  Wilton  Merle  Smith, 
D.D.,  Charles  A.  Dickey,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  D.  P.  Putnam,  D.D.,  Reuben 
H.  Hartley,  D.D.,  J.  Addison  Henry,  D.D..  Francis  L.  Patton,  D.D., 
LL.D.,  James  D.  Moffat,  D.D.,  LL.D.*,  S.  J.  Niccolls,  DD.,  LL.D.,  John 
De  Witt,  D.D.,  LL.D.  Ruling  Elders— Reuben  Tyler,  E.  S.  Wells, 
Louis  H.  Severance,  H.  C.  Gara.— P.,  1904,  p.  145. 

10.   Continuance  of  the  Committee  (C.  P.)  on  Fraternity  and 
Union,  1904. 

1.  That  the  Committee  on  Fraternity  and  Union,  as  at  present  con- 
stituted, be  continued  under  the  authority  heretofore  conferred. 


924  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

2.  That  in  the  event  of  favorable  action  by  the  constituted  authorities, 
concerning  the  proposed  union  between  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  and  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.,  the  said  committee 
is  further  empowered  to  confer  and  advise  with  the  several  Boards  and 
institutions  of  the  Church,  with  a  view  to  such  protection  of  all  corporate 
and  property  rights  as  may  need  attention,  under  the  law,  as  the  result 
of  the  consummation  of  said  Union. — Adopted.     C.  P.,  1904,  p.  68. 

11.  Telegrams  Announcing  Action,  1904. 

Dallas,  Texas,  May  25,  1904. 

To  the   General  Assembly   of  the   Presbyterian    Church  in  the  U.  S.  A., 
Buffalo,  N.  Y. : 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
to-night  adopted  Plan  of  Reunion  and  Union  by  constitutional  majority 
of  two-thirds. 


C.  P.,  1904,  p.  50. 


Warren  E.  Settle,  Moderator. 
J.  M.  Hubbert,  Stated  Clerk. 


Buffalo,  N.  ¥.,  May  27,  1904. 


General    Assembly   of    the    Cumberland    Presbyterian    Church,    Dallas, 
Texas  : 

The  report  of  the  Joint-Committee  on  Reunion  was  adopted  to-day  by 
a  great  majority. 

J.  Addison  Henry,  Moderator. 
W.  H.  Roberts,  Stated  Clerk. 
P.,  1904,  p.  148. 

12.  Appointment  and  Report  of  the  Committee  of  Canvass  (P.),  Winona 

Assembly,  1905. 

a.  Under  the  resolution  adopted  by  the  Assembly  of  1904,  a  two-thirds 
vote  of  the  Presbyteries  is  required  for  the  adoption  of  the  Overture,  viz., 
No.  161.  In  the  action  of  the  Assembly  of  1904,  on  the  subject  of  reunion 
and  union  with  the  Cumberland  Church,  there  is  no  direction  as  to  the 
method  by  which  the  Assembly  shall  find  and  declare  that  said  basis  of 
union  has  been  approved  by  the  required  majority  of  the  Presbyteries. 
There  is  simply  the  direction  that  the  Stated  Clerk  shall  report  the  vote. 
Further,  the  law  of  the  Assembly  of  1891,  on  the  canvass  of  the  answers 
of  the  Presbyteries  to  Overtures  sent  down  by  Assemblies,  does  not  spe- 
cifically apply  to  this  Overture  on  Union.  It  is,  however,  suggested  that 
a  Committee  of  Canvass,  consisting  of  three  ministers  and  two  elders,  be 
appointed  to  report  to  this  Assembly  the  state  of  the  vote,  accompanied  by 
a  form  of  declaration  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the  Plan  of  Union. 

The  following  Resolution  was  then  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  hereby  appoints  a  Committee  of  three 
ministers  and  two  elders  to  canvass  the  vote  of  the  Presbyteries  on  the 
Overture  sent  down  to  them  by  the  Assembly  of  1904  on  the  subject  of 


HISTORICAL    DOCUMENTS.  925 

the  Reunion  and  Union  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
of  America  and  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  ;  and  that  said 
Committee  report  to  this  Assembly  the  state  of  the  vote,  accompanied  by 
a  form  of  declaration  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the  Plan  of  Union, 
and  also  report  such  other  action  as  may  be  necessary,  said  Committee  to 
be  appointed  by  the  Moderator. — 1905,  p.  43. 

b.  The  Report  as  a  whole  was  adopted.  It  is  as  follows  : 
Your  Committee  appointed  to  canvass  and  report  the  vote  of  the  Pres- 
byteries on  Overture  No.  8,  sent  down  by  the  last  General  Assembly,  on 
the  subject  of  the  Reunion  and  Union  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
U.  S.  A.  and  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  accompanied  by  a 
form  of  declaration  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the  Plan  of  Union, 
and  also  to  report  what  further  action  may  be  necessary,  do  respectfully 
report  : 

1.  We  have  canvassed  the  vote  as  reported  by  the  Stated  Clerk,  and 
find  that  out  of  a  total  of  241  Presbyteries,  194  Presbyteries,  or  more 
than  the  two-thirds  majority  required,  have  voted  in  the  affirmative ;  39 
have  voted  in  the  negative  ;  2  have  taken  no  action  ;  1  has  given  condi- 
tional assent,  and  from  5  no  answer  has  been  received.  [Annexed 
hereto  is  an  alphabetical  list,  marked  A,  showing  the  name  and  action 
of  each  Presbytery.] 

2.  We  recommend  accordingly  for  adoption  by  the  Assembly  the 
following  form  of  declaration  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  Union  (see 
Minutes,  1904,  p.  136)  : 

This  Assembly,  having  received  and  duly  examined  the  vote  of  its 
Presbyteries  on  the  Basis  of  Union  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  U.  S.  A. 
and  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  does  hereby  find  and  declare  that 
more  than  the  required  two-thirds  majority  of  its  Presbyteries  have 
approved  the  Basis  of  Union  submitted  to  them  by  the  Assembly  of 
1904,  to  wit: 

"The  Union  shall  be  effected  on  the  doctrinal  basis  of  the  Confession 
of  Faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.,  as  revised  in  1903, 
and  of  its  other  doctrinal  and  ecclesiastical  Standards  ;  and  the  Scriptures 
of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  shall  be  acknowledged  as  the  inspired 
Word  of  God,  the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice";  and  that 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.  has  complied  with  all  the 
requirements  of  the  Plan  of  Union  adopted  by  the  Assembly  of  1904 
[see  Joint-report,  Minutes  of  1904,  p.  135  et  seq.~\,  and  this  Assembly 
declares  its  readiness  to  take  action  accordingly. — P.,  1905,  p.  67. 

13.  Announcement  by  the  Moderator  (P.),  Winona  Assembly,  1905. 

The  Moderator  made  the  following  formal  and  official  declaration,  to  wit : 
"  I  hereby  declare  that  Overture  No.  8,  sent  down  by  the  Assembly 
of  1904  to  the  Presbyteries,  in  the  form  set  forth  at  pages  119  and  136  in 
the  Minutes  of  said  Assembly,  has  been  adopted  by  more  than  the 
required  two-thirds  vote  in  the  affirmative,  and  accordingly  constitutes 
the  basis  of  the  proposed  union  between  our  Church  and  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  according  to  the  Plan  adopted  by  the  Assembly  of 
1904."— Minutes,  1905,  p.  67. 


926  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 


14.  Report  of  the  Special  Committee  on  Organic  Union  (C.  P.), 
Fresno   Assembly,  1905. 

There  being  one  hundred  and  fourteen  (114)  Presbyteries  in  the 
Church,  we  find  and  declare  that  more  than  a  constitutional  majority  of 
the  whole  number  of  Presbyteries  in  the  Church  have  voted  in  favor  of 
the  Reunion  and  Union,  and  we  therefore  recommend  that  you  adopt  the 
following  Preamble  and  Resolutions : 

Whereas,  The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
U.  S.  A.,  which  met  in  1903,  and  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church,  which  convened  in  the  same  year,  each 
appointed  a  Committee  looking  to  a  union  of  the  said  two  Churches, 
and, 

Whereas,  Said  Committees,  after  conferring  with  each  other,  agreed 
upon  a  plan,  or  basis,  of  reunion  and  union  of  said  Churches,  and,  by  a 
joint-report,  presented  the  same  to  their  respective  General  Assemblies 
which  convened  in  1904,  and  recommended  its  adoption,  and, 

Whereas,  The  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  of  1904,  by  the  constitutional  two-thirds  vote,  adopted  said  joint- 
report,  including  the  plan,  or  basis,  of  Union  therein  contained,  and 
recommended  and  submitted  said  basis  of  Union  to  the  Presbyteries  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  for  their  approval  or  disapproval ; 
and, 

Whereas,  Each  one  of  the  one  hundred  and  fourteen  (114)  Presby- 
teries of  the  Church,  except  Florida,  did  before  the  tenth  day  of  May, 
1905,  forward  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  this  General  Assembly  a  statement 
of  its  action  on  said  basis  of  Union,  which  statements  have  been  sub- 
mitted by  the  Stated  Clerk  to  this  Assembly  ;  and, 

Whereas,  It  appears  from  said  statements,  or  reports,  that  sixty  (60) 
of  said  Presbyteries  have  approved  of  the  reunion  and  union  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.  and  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  upon  the  basis  set  forth  in  said  joint-report,  and  that  fifty-one  (51) 
Presbyteries  have  voted  disapproval  of  said  reunion  and  union,  one  ( 1 ) 
Presbytery  approving  conditionally,  two  (2)  Presbyteries  failing  to  take 
any  final  action  on  the  question  ;  therefore, 

Be  it  Resolved,  That  this  General  Assembly  does  hereby  find  and 
declare  that  a  constitutional  majority  of  the  Presbyteries  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church  have  voted  approval  of  the  reunion  and  union 
of  said  Churches  upon  the  basis  set  forth  in  said  joint-report,  and  does 
find  and  declare  that  said  reunion  and  union  has  been  constitutionally 
agreed  to  by  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  that  the  said 
basis  of  Union  has,  for  the  purposes  of  the  Union,  been  constitutionally 
adopted.— C.  P.,  1905,  pp.  38,  39. 


15.   Adoption  of  the  Report  of  Canvass  and  Announcement  by  the 
Moderator  (C.  P.),  Fresno  Assembly,  1905. 

The  Moderator  then  announced  and  declared  that  the  motion  to  adopt 
the  Majority  Report  had  prevailed,  there  being  137  votes  in  the  affirma- 
tive and  110  votes  in  the  negative,  and  that  the  Resolution  contained 
therein  had  constitutionally  become  the  action  of  the  General  Assembly. 
(See  pages  37-39.)— C.  P.,  1905,  p.  56. 


HISTORICAL    DOCUMENTS.  927 


16.  Continuance  and  Enlargement  of  the  Committee  (P.)  on  Church 
Cooperation  and  Union,  1905. 

a.  And  your  Committee  recommends  the  following  further  action : 
Resolved,  That  this  whole  matter  be  now  recommitted  to  the  Assem- 
bly's Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union,  for  conference  with 
the  Committee  on  Fraternity  and  Union  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  or  other  similar  Committee,  appointed  or  to  be  appointed. 

That  such  Committee  be  increased  in  number  to  twenty-one,  and  that 
the  Moderator  report  to  this  Assembly  the  names  of  the  additional  mem- 
bers. 

That  it  be  the  duty  of  such  Committee  to  ascertain  what  steps  are 
necessary  to  complete  the  Union,  and  to  report  with  its  recommendations 
to  the  118th  General  Assembly,  when  convened  in  1906,  the  particular 
details  whereby  organic  union  may  be  so  effected  as  to  assure  to  the 
united  Church  all  the  legal  and  corporate  rights  and  powers  which  the 
separate  Churches  now  possess "  (see  ^j  2  of  Basis,  Minutes,  1904,  p. 
136),  and  whereby  the  corporate  rights  now  held  by  the  two  General 
Assemblies  and  by  their  Boards  and  Committees  may  be  consolidated  and 
applied  for  their  several  objects,  as  defined  and  permitted  by  law"  (see 
Seventh  Concurrent  Declaration,  Minutes,  1904,  p.  138). 

Resolved,  further,  That  the  said  Committee  be  and  it  hereby  is  authorized 
to  confer  with  the  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly,  if  and  when 
necessary,  in  order  to  safeguard  the  corporate  or  property  rights  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.  upon  and  after  the  completion  of 
the  proposed  Union  ;  and  the  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  are 
hereby  directed,  if  so  requested  to  confer,  to  comply  with  such  request. 

Resolved,  further,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  communicate  the  purport 
of  the  aforesaid  Declaration,  when  adopted,  to  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  now  in  session  at  Fresno,  Cal. 
Adopted.— P.,  1905,  pp.  67,  68. 

b.  As  additional  members  of  the  Special  Committee  on  Church 
Cooperation  and  Union:  Minister — Robert  Mackenzie,  D.D.  Ruling 
Elders — Hon.  George  H.  Shields,  Judge  William  M.  Lanuing,  Judge 
John  A.  Mcllvaine,  and  H.  W.  Jessup,  Esq.— P.,  1905,  p.  182. 

17.  Continuance  and  Enlargement  of  the  Committee  on  Fraternity 
and  Union,  1905. 

As  the  special  order,  the  Assembly  took  up  the  following  resolutions, 
offered  by  Dr.  W.  H.  Black : 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  Committee  on  Fraternity  and  Union  be  con- 
tinued, and  that  nine  new  members  be  added  thereto,  making  twenty-one 
in  all,  said  added  members  to  be  appointed  by  the  Moderator  and  his 
Council. 

2.  That  said  Committee  on  Fraternity  and  Union  be  instructed  to 
confer  with  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  and  Union  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  with  the  various  Boards, 
Committees,  organizations,  and  institutions  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church,  with  reference  to  the  adjusting  of  the  details  of  union 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Black,  the  foregoing  resolutions  were  adopted  and 


928  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

the  Moderator  afterward  announced  the  name  of  the  following  persons  as 
having  been  chosen  by  the  Moderator  and  his  Council  to  serve  as  addi- 
tional members  of  the  Committee  on  Fraternity  and  Union:  Revs. 
\Y.  M.  Crawford,  S.  D.  Logan,  R.  W.  Binkley,  J.  A.  McDonald,  R.  L. 
Phelps,  J.  H.  Miller,  and  Elders  W.  B.  Young,  T.  W.  Keller,  and  J.  H. 
Zarecor. — C.  P.,  1905,  p.  74. 

18.  Telegrams  Announcing  Action,  1905. 

Winona  Lake,  Inch,  May  22,  1905. 

Stated  Clerk,  General  Assembly  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  Fresno, 
Cal.  : 

Official  announcement  is  hereby  made  that  the  Overture  for  Union 
and  Reunion  between  our  respective  Churches  has  been  adopted  by  more 
than  the  required  two-thirds  vote  of  the  Presbyteries  in  the  affirmative, 
that  all  the  conditions  of  the  Plan  of  Union  have  been  complied  with  by 
this  Church,  and  that  the  further  steps  necessary  to  complete  the  Union 
have  been  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union 
to  report  to  the  next  Assembly. 

Wm.  Henry  Roberts,  Stated  Clerk. 

P.,  1905,  p.  77;  C.  P.,  1905,  p.  45. 

Winona  Lake,  Indiana,  May  23,  1905. 

To  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  Fresno, 
California : 

The  General  Assembly  in  session  at  Winona  Lake,  Indiana,  cordially 
reciprocates  your  fraternal  greeting.  We  have  taken  every  step  now 
possible  toward  completing  organic  union  and  without  a  dissenting  vote. 
The  voice  of  our  Church  is  "  Come,  and  welcome."  May  you  reach  a 
like  unity  is  our  earnest  prayer. 

James  D.  Moffat,  Moderator. 
Wm.  H.  Roberts,  Stated  Clerk. 
P.,  1905,  p,  126  ;  C.  P.,  1905,  p.  46. 

Fresno,  Cal,  May  24,  1905. 

General  Assembly  Presbyterian  Church,   U.  S.  A.,   Winona  Lake,  Ind.  : 

The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  General  Assembly,  acknowledging  and 
replying  to  your  telegram,  have  to  announce  that  we  find  and  declare 
that  a  constitutional  majority  of  our  Presbyteries  have  voted  approval 
of  the  basis  of  reunion  and  union,  and  we  pray  the  peace  and  blessings 
of  God  upon  the  reunion. 

J.  B.  Hail,  Moderator. 
J.  M.  Hubbert,  Stated  Clerk. 
C.  P.,  1905,  p.  92  ;  P.,  1905,  p.  145. 

Fresno,  Cal.,  May  24,  1905. 

Stated  Clerk  Presbyterian  Assembly,    Winona  Lake,  Ind.  : 

Our  Committee  on  Fraternity  and  Union  receives  an  addition  of  nine 
members,  with  instructions  to  consider  all  further  steps  necessary  to   con- 


HISTORICAL    DOCUMENTS.  929 

summate  the  union  and  confer  with  your  Committee,  and  report  at  next 
meeting  of  our  Assembly  a  year  hence. 

J.  M.  Hubbert,  Stated  Clerk 
C.  P.,  1905,  p.  74  ;  P.,  1905,  p.  149. 

19.  Action  of  Winona  Assembly  (P.),  1905,  on  the  Amendment  to  the 
Form  of  Government,  Chapter  x,  Section  2. 

a.  The  Committee  of  Canvass  on  Overture  No.  6,  on  the  Territorial 
limits  of  Presbyteries,  presented  the  following  Report,  which  was 
adopted : 

The  total  number  of  Presbyteries  is  241,  and  the  Provision  of  Chapter 
24  of  the  Form  of  Government,  Section  1,  requires  that  a  majority  of  all 
the  Presbyteries  approve  in  writing  of  amendments  or  alterations  of  the 
Form  of  Government.  A  majority  of  the  Presbyteries  is  121,  and  inas- 
much as  188  Presbyteries  have  voted  in  the  affirmative  the  Overture 
has  been  adopted,  and  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Moderator  to  make  due 
declaration  of  the  fact  in  the  following  terms,  viz.  :  I  hereby  declare  that 
Overture  No.  6,  sent  down  by  the  Assembly  of  1904  to  the  Presbyteries, 
being  an  amendment  to  Form  of  Government,  Chapter  x,  Section  2,  and 
found  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Assembly  of  1904,  pages  146,  147,  has  been 
constitutionally  adopted  as  an  amendment- to  the  Form  of  Government, 
and  is  now  a  part  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
U.  S.  A.— P.,  1905,  p.  60. 

b.  In  compliance  wherewith  the  Moderator  made  the  following  formal 
and  official  declaration  :  "  I  hereby  declare  that  Overture  No.  6,  sent 
down  by  the  Assembly  of  1904  to  the  Presbyteries,  as  an  amendment  to 
Form  of  Government,  Chapter  x,  Section  2,  and  found  in  the  Minutes  of 
the  Assembly  of  1904,  pages  146,  147,  has  been  constitutionally  adopted, 
and  is  now  a  part  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America."— P.,  1905,  p.  60. 

Winona  Lake,  Ind.,  May  23d,  1905. 

Stated  Clerk,  General  Assembly,   Fresno : 

Separate  Presbyteries  overture  has  been  adopted,  and  on  Monday 
morning  was  declared  to  be  the  law  of  the  Church. 

Wm.  H.  Roberts,  Stated  Clerk. 
C.  P.,  1905,  p.  47. 

20.  Joint-report  on  Reunion  and  Union,  1906. 

The  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.  and  the  Committee  on  Fraternity  and  Union  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  earnestly  recommend  to  their 
respective  General  Assemblies  for  adoption  the  following  Preamble  and 
Resolutions : 

We  recommend  that  the  General  Assembly  of  each  one  of  the  two 
Churches  which  shall  convene  in  May,  1906,  adopt  the  following  pream- 
ble and  resolutions  : 

Whereas,  The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America 
and  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  have  from  time  to  time  since 
their  separation  made  efforts  looking  toward  reunion  of  the  latter  with  the 
former  Church  ;  and, 


930  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

Whereas,  The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America  which  met  in  1903,  and  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  which  convened  in  the  same  year, 
each  appointed  a  Committee  having  in  view  a  reunion  and  union  of  the 
said  two  Churches  ;  and, 

Whereas,  Said  Committees,  after  conferring  with  each  other,  agreed 
upon  a  plan  and  basis  of  reunion  and  union  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  United  States  of  America  and  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  by  a  joint-report  presented  the  same  to  their  respective  General  Assem- 
blies which  convened  in  1904,  and  recommended  its  adoption  ;  and, 

Whereas,  The  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  in  1904,  by  the  constitutional  two-thirds  vote,  adopted  said  report, 
including  the  plan  and  basis  of  reunion  and  union  therein  contained,  and 
recommended  and  submitted  said  basis  of  reunion  and  union  to  the  Pres- 
byteries of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  for  their  approval  or 
disapproval  (Minutes,  pages  30,  48,  and  62a),  as  provided  in  the  follow- 
ing resolutions : 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  foregoing  Report  and  Supplemental  Report  of 
the  Committee  on  Presbyterian  Fraternity  and  Union,  appointed  by  the 
General  Assembly  in  1903,  be  received  and  spread  upon  the  Minutes  of 
this  General  Assembly,  and  that  the  included  Joint-report  on  Union  be 
adopted ;  and  that  the  Basis  of  Union  be  and  is  recommended  to  the 
Presbyteries  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  for  their  approval 
or  disapproval. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  Moderator  and  the  Stated  Clerk  be  instructed  to 
submit  the  Basis  of  Union,  contained  in  said  report,  to  the  Presbyteries  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  in  the  usual  constitutional  manner, 
upon  receiving  official  notification  of  the  adoption  of  the  said  Joint-re- 
port on  Union  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America. 

The  Plan  or  Basis  of  Union  referred  to  in  said  resolutions  is  defined  in 
Article  I,  Section  2,  of  the  JointTreport  on  Reunion  and  Union,  and  was 
submitted  to  the  Presbyteries  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  as 
provided  in  Section  3,  in  the  following  words : 

"  Do  you  approve  of  the  reunion  and  union  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  United  States  of  America  and  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  on  the  following  basis  :  The  union  shall  be  effected  on  the  doc- 
trinal basis  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  as  revised  in  1903,  and  of  its  other  doctrinal 
and  ecclesiastical  Standards ;  and  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Tes- 
taments shall  be  acknowledged  as  the  inspired  Word  of  God,  the  only 
infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice?"  ;  and, 

Whereas,  Each  one  of  the  one  hundred  and  fourteen  (114)  Presby- 
teries of  the  said  Church,  except  the  Presbytery  of  Florida,  did,  before 
the  10th  day  of  May,  1905,  forward  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  said  General 
Assembly  a' statement  of  its  action  on  said  basis  of  reunion  and  union, 
which  statements  were  submitted  by  the  Stated  Clerk  to  that  Assembly  ; 
and, 

Whereas,  Said  General  Assembly  adopted  the  following  resolution  : 

Be  it  Resolved,  That  this  General  Assembly  does  hereby  find  and  de- 
clare that  a  constitutional  majority  of  the  Presbyteries  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church  have  voted  approval  of  the  reunion  and  union  of 
said  Churches  upon  the  basis  set  forth  in  said  joint-report,  and  does  find 


HISTORICAL    DOCUMENTS.  931 

and  declare  that  said  reunion  and  union  has  been  constitutionally  agreed 
to  by  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  that  the  said  basis  of 
union  has,  for  the  purposes  of  the  union,  been  constitutionally  adopted 
(Minutes,  1905,  pages  39  and  56)  ;  and, 

Whereas,  The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  at  its  sessions  in  1904,  also  duly  adopted  said 
joint-report,  including  the  plan  and  basis  of  reunion  and  union  therein 
contained,  and  did  submit  the  basis  of  reunion  and  union  to  the  Presby- 
teries of  that  Church  for  their  approval  or  disapproval  (Minutes  of  1904, 
page  130),  in  the  following  words : 

"  Do  you  approve  of  the  reunion  and  union  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America  and  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
on  the  following  basis :  The  union  shall  be  effected  on  the  doctrinal  basis 
of  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  as  revised  in  1903,  and  of  its  other  doctrinal  and  eccle- 
siastical Standards ;  and  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments 
shall  be  acknowledged  as  the  inspired  Word  of  God,  the  only  infallible 
rule  of  faith  and  practice  ?"  ;  and, 

Whereas,  Two  hundred  and  thirty-six  (236)  of  the  two  hundred  and 
forty-one  (241)  Presbyteries  of  that  Church  did  each,  before  the  10th 
day  of  May,  1905,  forward  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  that  Assembly  a  state- 
ment of  its  action  on  said  basis  of  reunion  and  union,  which  statements 
were  submitted  by  said  Stated  Clerk  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  said 
Presbyterian  Church  which  convened  on  the  18th  day  of  May,  1905  ;  and, 

Whereas,  That  Assembly  did  adopt  the  following  declaration,  to  wit : 

"  This  Assembly,  having  received  and  duly  examined  the  vote  of  its  Pres- 
byteries on  the  basis  of  union  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America  and  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  does  hereby 
find  and  declare  that  more  than  the  required  two-thirds  majority  of  its 
Presbyteries  have  approved  the  basis  of  union  submitted  to  them  by  the 
Assembly  of  1904,  to  wit :  '  The  union  shall  be  effected  on  the  doctrinal 
basis  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  as  revised  in  1903,  and  of  its  other  doctrinal  and  eccle- 
siastical Standards  ;  and  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments 
shall  be  acknowledged  as  the  inspired  "Word  of  God,  the  only  infallible 
rule  of  faith  and  practice';  and  that  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America  has  complied  with  all  of  the  requirements  of  the 
plan  of  union  adopted  by  the  Assembly  of  1904  (see  joint-report,  Minutes 
of  1904,  page  135  seq.),  and  this  Assembly  declares  its  readiness  to  take 
action  accordingly  " ;  and, 

Wliereas,  The  Moderator  of  said  Assembly  made  the  following  dec- 
laration, to  wit  : 

"  I  hereby  declare  that  Overture  No.  8,  sent  down  by  the  Assembly  of 
1904  to  the  Presbyteries,  in  the  form  set  forth  at  pages  119  and  136  in  the 
Minutes  of  said  Assembly,  has  been  adopted  by  more  than  the  required 
two-thirds  vote  in  the  affirmative,  and  accordingly  constitutes  the  basis  of 
the  proposed  union  between  our  Church  and  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  according  to  the  plan  adopted  by  the  Assembly  of  1904  "  (Minutes 
of  1905,  page  67)  ;  and, 

Whereas,  Official  notice  has  been  given  to  each  Assembly  of  the  action 
taken  by  the  other  Assembly,  as  hereinbefore  recited,  which  notice  has 
been  officially  acknowledged  ;  Now,  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  effect  of  the  above-recited  actions  is : 


932  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

(a)  That  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  as  revised  in  1903,  and  its  other  doctrinal  and 
ecclesiastical  Standards,  have  been  adopted  by  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church,  in  accordance  with  its  Constitution  and  in  conformity  with 
said  plan  and  basis  of  reunion  and  union. 

(b)  That  said  joint-report,  including  the  plan  and  basis  of  reunion  and 
union,  concurrent  declarations,  and  recommendations  therein  contained, 
have  been  adopted  by  the  constituted  authorities  and  in  conformity  with 
the  organic  law  of  both  of  said  Churches. 

(c)  That  the  reunion  and  union  provided  for  in  said  joint-report  and  in 
the  basis  of  reunion  and  union  has  been  agreed  to  by  the  constituted 
authorities  and  in  accordance  with  the  organic  law  of  both  of  said 
Churches,  and  is  binding  and  will  become  fully  effective  and  operative 
when  and  as  hereinafter  declared. 

Be  it  further  Resolved,  2.  That  immediately  after  the  declaration  herein- 
after provided  for  shall  have  been  made,  said  Confession  of  Faith  and 
other  doctrinal  and  ecclesiastical  Standards  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America  shall  become  effective  and  operative  as  to 
all  of  the  ministers,  elders,  deacons,  officers,  particular  churches,  judica- 
tories, boards,  committees,  and  all  other  ecclesiastical  organizations,  institu- 
tions, and  agencies  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

3.  That  after  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  meeting  in  1906,  shall  have  adjourned  sine  die  as  a  separate 
Assembly,  the  One  Hundred  and  Nineteenth  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  which  shall  be  com- 
posed of  representatives  from  all  the  Presbyteries  of  the  reunited  Church, 
shall,  upon  the  dissolution  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  the  United  States  of  America,  meeting  in  1906,  be  required 
by  its  Moderator  to  meet  on  the  third  Thursday  of  May,  1907,  at  11 
o'clock,  A.  M.,  as  provided  for  by  the  Form  of  Government  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America.  When  said  Assembly 
convenes  it  shall,  until  a  new  Moderator  is  chosen,  be  presided  over  by  the 
Moderator  of  the  Assembly  of  1906  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America;  and  it  is  recommended  that  the  opening  ser- 
mon be  preached  by  the  Moderator  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1906  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  The  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America 
shall  make  up  the  roll  of  the  Assembly  of  1907,  with  the  assistance  of 
the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1906  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church. 

4.  That  all  of  the  Presbyteries  now  constituting  the  Presbyteries  of  the 
two  Churches,  as  they  shall  exist  at  the  time  for  electing  commissioners  to 
the  General  Assembly  of  1907,  shall  elect  commissioners  to  that  Assem- 
bly on  the  basis  of  one  minister  and  one  elder  for  every  twenty-four 
ministers  or  moiety  thereof,  as  provided  in  the  Form  of  Government  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America. 

5.  That  all  Boards,  Committees,  Trustees,  and  other  ecclesiastical  agen- 
cies now  required  to  make  report  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church  be  and  they  are  hereby  directed  to  report  here- 
after to  the  General  Assemblies  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America. 

6.  Resolved,  That  in  order  to  carry  out  the  intent  of  Concurrent  Declara- 
tions 5  and  7,  to  wit : 


HISTORICAL    DOCUMENTS.  933 

(5)  "As  soon  as  practicable  after  the  union  shall  have  been  effected 
the  General  Assembly  shall  reconstruct  and  consolidate  the  several  per- 
manent Committees  and  Boards  which  now  belong  to  the  two  Assemblies, 
so  as  to  represent,  with  impartiality,  the  views  and  wishes  of  the  two  bodies 
constituting  the  reunited  Church." 

(7)  "The  corporate  rights  now  held  by  the  two  General  Assemblies 
and  by  their  Boards  and  Committees  shall  be  consolidated  and  applied 
for  their  several  objects,  as  defined  and  permitted  by  law."  (Minutes, 
1904,  pp.  137,  138.) 

The  Boards,  Committees,  Trustees,  and  other  ecclesiastical  or  corporate 
agencies  connected  with  either  General  Assembly,  all  of  which  have  been 
hereinbefore  directed  to  report  hereafter  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  or  are  in  duty 
bound  to  report  to  said  General  Assembly,  be  and  they  are  authorized 
and  empowered  if,  and  when,  so  directed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  to  proceed  accord- 
ing to  law  to  orderly  dissolution,  in  order  that  the  funds,  property,  and 
other  assets  by  them,  or  any  of  them,  now  severally  held  be  turned  over 
to  such  appropriate  corporate  agencies,  whether  Boards  or  Committees,  as 
may  be  permanently  continued  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  ;  and  such  agencies,  so  per- 
manently continued,  are  intended  to  be  substituted  Trustees,  to  succeed 
to  the  administration  of  such  trust  funds,  as  well  as  thereafter  to  receive 
and  distribute  the  benevolent  offerings  of  all  the  churches  and  congregations 
now  belonging  to  either  Church. 

7.  Resolved,  That  the  benevolent  and  missionary  Boards  connected 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  the 
Boards  now  connected  with  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  after  the  consummation  of  the  reunion  and  union, 
are  authorized  and  directed  to  confer  with  each  other  with  a  view  to  carry- 
ing on  their  work  in  harmony  with  each  other  during  the  year  1906-7, 
full  report  to  be  made  by  each  of  the  above  Boards  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  of  1907. 

8.  Whereas,  Upon  the  declaration  of  the  reunion  and  union  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  and  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  the  Synods,  Presbyteries,  Sessions,  ministers, 
and  congregations,  now  connected  with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  will  have  been  received  into  and  become  incorporated  with  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  (a)  That  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  with  the  assistance 
of  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church,  shall  be,  and  hereby  is,  authorized  and  directed  to  place 
the  names  of  the  Synods  and  Presbyteries  connected  with  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church  at  the  time  of  the  completion  of  the  reunion  and 
union  on  the  roll  of  the  Synods  and  the  Presbyteries  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  of  1906, 
to  wit : 

I.  Synod  of  Alabama  :  Presbyteries  of  Birmingham,  Florida, 
McGready,  Robert  Donnell,  Springville,  and  Talladega. 

II.  Synod  of  Arkansas:  Presbyteries  of  Arkansas,  Bartholomew, 
Burrow,  Fort  Smith,  Little  Rock,  Morrillton,  Mound  Prairie,  and  White 
River. 


934  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

III.  Synod  of  Illinois  :  Presbyteries  of  Chicago,  Decatur,  Ewing, 
Foster,  Illinois,  Lincoln,  Mt.  Yernon,  Rushville,  Sangamon,  and  Van- 
dalia. 

IV.  Synod  of  Indiana  :  Presbyteries  of  Indiana,  Morgan,  and 
Wabash. 

V.  Synod  of  Indianola  :  Presbyteries  of  Cherokee,  Chickasaw, 
Choctaw,  Greer,  Oklahoma,  and  Washita. 

VI.  Synod  of  Iowa  :  Presbyteries  of  Colesburg,  Iowa,  and  West  Iowa. 

VII.  Synod  of  Kansas:  Presbyteries  of  Fort  Scott,  Kansas  City, 
Nebraska,  Rocky  Mountain,  and  Wichita. 

VIII.  Synod  of  Kentucky  :  Presbyteries  of  Cumberland,  Leiteh- 
field,  Logan,  Louisville,  Mayfield,  Owensboro,  and  Princeton. 

IX.  Synod  of  Mississippi  :  Presbyteries  of  Bell,  Mississippi,  New 
Hope,  Oxford,  and  Yazoo. 

X.  Synod  of  Missouri  :  Presbyteries  of  Chillicothe,  Kirksville, 
Lexington,  McGee,  Neosho,  New  Lebanon,  Ozark,  Platte,  St.  Louis,  Salt 
River,  Springfield,  West  Plains,  and  West  Prairie. 

XL  Synod  of  Ohio  :  Presbyteries  of  Athens,  Columbus,  and  Miami. 

XII.  Synod  of  Oregon  :  Presbyteries  of  Portland,  Walla  Walla, 
and  Willamette. 

XIII.  Synod  of  Pacific  :  Presbyteries  of  California,  Los  Angeles, 
Sacramento,  and  Tulare. 

XIV.  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  :  Presbyteries  of  Allegheny,  Penn- 
sylvania, Pittsburgh,  and  Union. 

XV.  Synod  of  Tennessee  :  Presbyteries  of  Chattanooga,  Clarksville, 
Columbia,  Cookeville,  East  Tennessee,  Elk,  Knoxville,  Lebanon,  and 
McMinville. 

XVI.  Synod  of  Texas  :  Presbyteries  of  Abilene,  Amarillo,  Austin, 
Bacon,  Bonham,  Brownwood,  Corsicana,  Dallas,  Denton,  Fort  Worth, 
Greenville,  Gregory,  Louisiana,  Marshall,  Red  River,  San  Antonio,  San 
Jacinto,  Snyder,  Texas,  Waco,  and  Weatherford. 

XVII.  Synod  of  AVest  Tennessee  :  Presbyteries  of  Hopewell, 
Madison,  Memphis,  and  Obion. 

(b)  That  official  correspondence  with  said  Synods  and  Presbyteries 
shall  be  conducted  by  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  with  the  assistance 
of  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church  of  1906. 

(c)  That  the  list  of  churches  and  ministers  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church  as  existing  at  the  time  of  the  reunion  and 
union,  and  certified  to  by  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  be  printed  by  the  Stated  Clerk  of 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
of  America  in  the  Minutes  of  the  latter  Church  for  1906. 

9.  Resolved,  That  after  the  completion  of  the  reunion  and  union,  the 
Boards  and  Committees  now  connected  with  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  be  entered  in  the  list  of  the  Boards 
and  Committees  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America,  and  that  under  their  appropriate  names, 
with  their  members  and  officers,  they  be  published  in  the  Minutes  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America  for  1906. 

10.  Resolved,  That  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumber- 


HISTORICAL    DOCUMENTS.  935 

land  Presbyterian  Church  for  1906  be  published  and  distributed  as  usual, 
and  that  the  Stated  Clerk  and  Treasurer  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  for  1906  be  and  is  hereby  continued  in 
office  to  complete  his  duties,  including  the  statement  of  his  financial 
accounts ;  final  report  to  be  made  by  him  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  of  1907. 

11.  Resolved,  That  the  respective  General  Assemblies  hereby  recom- 
mend to  the  One  Hundred  and  Nineteenth  General  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  that  when  steps  shall  be 
taken  to  adjust  the  boundaries  of  the  several  Presbyteries  and  Synods, 
and  to  define  and  name  the  same,  preference  be  given,  as  far  as  possible, 
to  the  names  now  used  by  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  for  its 
Presbyteries  and  Synods  in  the  South  and  Southwest ;  that,  conversely, 
preference  be  given,  as  far  as  possible,  to  the  names  now  used  by  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  in  the  North  and 
Northwest ;  and  that  in  the  border  territory  great  care  be  taken  to  pre- 
serve any  names  that  embody  associations  dear  to  either  Church. 

12.  Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  United  States  of  America  shall  grant  to  its  Board  of  Education  a 
measure  of  discretion  in  the  application  of  the  rules  of  said  Board  to 
candidates  who  may  be  recommended  for  aid  by  Presbyteries  previously 
in  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  until  said  Presbyteries,  with 
their  candidates,  have  fully  adjusted  themselves  to  the  new  conditions 
brought  about  by  the  reunion  and  union  of  the  two  Churches.  This  action 
shall  be  construed  as  extending  to  the  students  in  the  theological  depart- 
ment of  Cumberland  University,  according  to  the  provisions  of  Concurrent 
Declaration  No.  6. 

13.  Whereas,  The  Committee  on  Fraternity  and  Union  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church  have  called  attention  to  the  responsibility  which 
its  Church  has  felt  in  the  matter  of  aiding  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  Colored — its  Educational  Society  having  been  charged  by  its 
General  Assembly  from  year  to  year  with  certain  duties  in  relation  to  said 
Church — in  order  that  this  responsibility  may  be  duly  recognized  by  the 
reunited  Church  toward  that  particular  denomination  of  colored  people  ; 
therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Missions  for  Freedmen  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  and  the  Educational  Society  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  both  of  which,  after  the  completion 
of  the  reunion  and  union,  will  be  agencies  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America,  are  hereby  authorized  and  directed  to  con- 
sider what  may  be  done  by  the  reunited  Church  for  the  further  evangel- 
ization and  education  of  the  colored  people  in  the  South  and  Southwest ; 
report  to  be  made  to  the  One  Hundred  and  Nineteenth  General  Assembly 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  meeting  in 
1907. 

14.  When  this  joint-report,  including  its  recitals  and  resolutions,  shall 
have  been  adopted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  each  of  said  Churches, 
and  official  telegraphic  notice  of  such  adoption  has  been  received  by  each 
Assembly  from  the  other,  the  Moderator  of  each  Assembly  is  empowered  and 
directed,  in  behalf  of  his  General  Assembly  and  Church,  to  declare  and  pub- 
licly announce  in  open  session  of  said  Assembly,  and  have  it  so  recorded  on 
its  minutes,  the  full  consummation  of  the  reunion  and  union  of  said  Churches 
in  the  following  words :  "  The  joint-report  of  the  two  Committees  on  Reunion 


936  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

and  Union,  and  the  recitals  and  resolutions  therein  contained  and  recom- 
mended, for  adoption,  having  been  adopted  by  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  and  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  official  notice  of 
such  adoption  having  been  received  by  each  of  the  said  General  Assem- 
blies from  the  other  ;  I  do  solemnly  declare  and  here  publicly  announce 
that  the  basis  of  reunion  and  union  is  now  in  full  force  and  effect,  and  that 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  is  now  reunited  with  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  as  one  Church,  and  that 
the  official  records  of  the  two  Churches  during  the  period  of  separation 
shall  be  preserved  and  held  as  making  up  the  history  of  the  one  Church." 
And  when  said  declaration  shall  have  been  publicly  made  in  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  no  business 
in  that  General  Assembly  shall  be  in  order,  except  a  motion  to  adjourn 
sine  die  as  a  separate  Assembly. 

In  behalf  of  the  Cumberland  In  behalf  of  the  Presbyterian 

Presbyterian  Committee  :  Committee  : 

Wm.  H.  Black,  Chairman.  Wm.  H.  Roberts,  Chairman. 

P.,  1906,  pp.  142-150 ;  C.  P.,  pp.  64-72. 

21.  Telegrams  announcing  action,  1906. 

Decatur,  III.,  May  23,  1906. 

To  the    General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian   Church  in  the    U.  S.  A., 
Des  Moines,  Iowa : 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  has 
just  adopted  the  joint-report  of  the  Committee  on  Reunion  and  Union  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  and  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
it  respectfully  awaits  notification  of  the  same  action  on  the  part  of  your 
venerable  body. 

Ira  Landrith,  Moderator. 

J.  M.  Hubbert,  Stated  Cleric— C.  P.,  1906,  p.  117. 

Des  Moines,  Iowa,  May  24,  1906. 

To  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  Decatur, 
III. : 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
of  America  has  adopted  the  Joint-report  on  Reunion  and  Union,  and 
has  made  the  Declaration  of  Union  contained  in  Resolution  fourteen. 

Hunter  Corbett,  Moderator. 

William  H.  Roberts,  Stated  Clerk.— P.,  1906,  p.  151. 

Decatur,  III.,  May  24,  1906. 
To  the  Stated  Clerk,  Presbyterian  General  Assembly,  Des  Moines,  Iowa : 

Our  Assembly  made  the  Declaration  and  adjourned  at  one  o'clock. 
Fifteen  will  come  in  our  delegation. 

J.  M.  Hubbert,  Stated  Clerk. 


HISTORICAL    DOCUMENTS.  937 

22.  Adoption  of  the  Joint-report  and  Declaration  of  the  consummation 

of  Union,  1906. 

1.   Presbyterian    General  Assembly. 

The  Special  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union,  through  its 
Chairman,  Rev.  W.  H.  Roberts,  D.D.,  presented  its  Report,  which  was 
accepted. 

Part  V.  of  the  Report,  being  the  Joint-report  on  Reunion  and  Union 
with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  with  all  its  recitals  and  resolu- 
tions, was  adopted  with  only  two  dissenting  votes.  Rev-  William  Laurie, 
D.D.,  one  of  the  dissentients,  asked  that  his  name  be  recorded  as  voting 
in  the  negative. 

Upon  the  adoption  of  said  Part  V.,  the  Joint-report  on  Reunion  and 
Union,  with  all  its  recitals  and  resolutions,  the  Moderator,  as  required 
by  the  terms  of  Resolution  14  of  said  Report,  made  the  following  declara- 
tion, to  wit : 

"  The  joint-report  of  the  two  Committees  on  Reunion  and  Union,  and 
the  recitals  and  resolutions  therein  contained  and  recommended  for  adop- 
tion, having  been  adopted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  and  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  official  notice  of  such  adoption 
having  been  received  by  each  of  the  said  General  Assemblies  from  the 
other  ;  I  do  solemnly  declare  and  here  publicly  announce  that  the  basis  of 
reunion  and  union  is  now  in  full  force  and  effect,  and  that  the  Cumber- 
laud  Presbyterian  Church  is  now  reunited  with  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  United  States  of  America  as  one  Church,  and  that  the  official  records 
of  the  two  Churches  during  the  period  of  separation  shall  be  preserved 
and  held  as  making  up  the  history  of  the  one  Church." — P.  Minutes,  1906, 
pp.  123,  171. 

2.    Cumberland  Presbyterian   General  Assembly. 

a.  After  the  reading  of  the  foregoing  Report,  Dr.  S.  M.  Templeton 
offered  the  following  Resolution,  which  was  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  the  foregoing  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Fraternity 
and  Union  be  accepted,  and  that  the  Joint-report  on  Reunion  and  Union, 
contained  in  said  Report,  be  adopted. — C.  P.,  1906,  p.  72. 

b.  The  Moderator  then  declared  that  the  Resolution  offered  by  Dr. 
Templeton  had  been  carried,  and  that  thereby  the  Report  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Fraternity  and  Union  has  been  accepted,  and  that  the  Joint- 
report  on  Reunion  and  Union,  contained  therein,  had  been  adopted. — 
C.  P.,  1906,  p.  77. 

c.  In  terms  contained  in  Resolution  fourteen  of  the  Joint-report  on 
Reunion  and  Union,  Moderator  Landrith  then  made  the  following 
Declaration  : 

The  joint-report  of  the  two  Committees  on  Reunion  and  Union  and  the 
recitals  and  resolutions  therein  contained  and  recommended  for  adoption, 
having  been  adopted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  United  States  of  America  and  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church,  and  official  notice  of  such  adoption  having  been 
received  by  enrh  of  the  said  General  Assemblies  from  the  other ;  I  do 
solemnly  declare  and  here  publicly  announce  that  the  basis  of  reunion  and 
union  is  now  in  full  force  and  effect,  and  that  the  Cumberland  Presbvterian 


938  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

Church  is  now  reunited  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America  as  one  Church,  and  that  the  official  records  of  the 
two  Churches  during  the  period  of  separation  shall  be  preserved  and  held 
as  making  up  the  history  of  the  one  Church, — C.  P.,  1906,  p.  115. 

23.  Final  adjournment  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland 

Presbyterian   Church. 

The  following  resolution  was  then  presented  by  Dr.  J.  S.  Grider : 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Assembly  do  now  adjourn  sine  die,  as  a 
separate  General  Assembly,  to  meet  in  and  as  part  of  the  one  hundred 
and  nineteenth  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  on  the  third  Thursday  of  May,  1907,  at 
11  o'clock  a.m.,  at  the  place  chosen  by  the  one  hundred  and  eighteenth 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America. 

Elder  D.  M.  Prendergast  moved  the  adoption  of  the  foregoing  resolu- 
tion, the  motion  was  seconded  by  Rev.  D.  C.  DeWitt,  and  the  resolution 
was  adopted  by  the  Assembly  viva  voce. — C.  P.,  1906,  p.  115. 

Moderator  Dr.  Laudrith  then  said:  I  now  declare  this  General  Assem- 
bly adjourned  sine  die,  as  a  separate  Assembly,  to  meet  in  and  as  a  part 
of  the  One  Hundred  and  Nineteenth  General  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  on  the  third  Thursday  of 
May,  1907,  at  eleven  o'clock  a.m.,  at  the  place  chosen  by  the  One  Hun- 
dred and  Eighteenth  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America  of  1906.— C.  P.,  1906,  p.  116. 

24.  Reception  of  the  Delegates  of  the  Cumberland  General  Assembly, 

Des  Moines,  1906. 

Rev.  W.  H.  Roberts,  D.D.,  introduced  to  the  Moderator  and  the  Assem- 
bly the  members  of  the  Delegation,  as  follows :  Rev.  Ira  Landrith,  D.D., 
Moderator;  Rev.  J.  M.  Hubbert,  D.D.,  Stated  Clerk;  Rev.  W.  J.  Darby, 
D.D.,  Rev.  J.  Frank  Smith,  Rev.  L.  C.  Kirkes,  Rev.  W.  J.  Fisher,  Rev. 
Prof.  W.  P.  Bone,  Rev.  J.  E.  Aubrey,  Rev.  U.  C.  Howard,  Rev.  W.  L. 
Darby,  Rev.  George  S.  Davis,  Rev.  J.  D.  Boone.  Elders — Hon.  E.  E. 
Beard,  S.  F.  Stahl,  and  T.  A.  White. 

Addresses  were  delivered  by  the  following  members  of  the  Delegation : 
Rev.  Ira  Landrith,  LL.D.,  Rev.  J.  M.  Hubbert,  D.D.,  Rev.  W.  J.  Darby, 
D.D.,  Rev.  J.  F.  Smith,  Rev.  W.  J.  Fisher,  and  Hon.  E.  E.  Beard. 

The  Moderator  repeated  verbatim  the  formal  Declaration  of  Reunion 
and  Union  made  yesterday,  and  responded  to  the  addresses  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Delagation. 

After  a  cordial  handclasp  by  the  two  Moderators,  Drs.  Corbett  and 
Landrith,  Dr.  Corbett  led  the  Assembly  in  a  prayer  of  thanksgiving. — 
P.,  1906,  p.  171. 

25.  Announcement  by  the  Stated  Clerk,  Des  Moines,  la.,  1906. 

The  Stated  Clerk  made  formal  announcement  as  follows  : 
In  the  name  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America,  and  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church,  I  make  announcement  that  the  following  Synods 
and  Presbyteries,  with  their  ministers  and  churches,  have  been  received 
into  and  have  become  incorporated  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 


HISTORICAL    DOCUMENTS.  939 

United  States  of  America,  and  their  names  are  therefore  placed  upon  the 
Roll  of  this  General  Assembly,  to  wit:  (See  this  Digest,  p.  933.) — P., 
1906,  p.  152. 

26,  Special  Designation  for  certain  Presbyteries  and  Synods. 

The  Stated  Clerk  was  authorized,  in  making  up  the  Roll  of  the  Presby- 
teries and  Synods,  where  two  of  the  same  name  occurred,  to  append  the 
letter  "  A  "  to  those  formerly  connected  with  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church.— P.,  1906,  p.  172. 

27.  Doctrinal  Deliverance  (P.),  Des  Moines,  la.,  1906. 

The  following  deliverance  was  adopted : 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
of  America,  having  added  to  its  Rolls  the  Synods  and  Presbyteries  and 
churches  and  ministers  lately  subject  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  constituting  said  Church  ;  and 
earnestly  desiring  to  retain  in  the  membership  of  each  particular  church 
every  one  in  connection  therewith  prior  to  the  consummation  of  the 
reunion  ;  and  being  apprehensive  that  some  of  them  may  be  reluctant 
to  acquiesce  in  what  has  now  been  effected,  because  of  certain  misappre- 
hensions which  should  be  removed  if  possible,  now  solemnly  declares : 

1.  That  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  no  acceptance  of  the  doctrines  of 
the  Church  is  required  of  any  communicant,  beyond  a  personal  faith  in 
Jesus  Christ  as  Son  of  God  and  Saviour  of  the  World,  and  a  sincere 
acceptance  of  Him  as  Lord  and  Master. 

2.  That  ministers,  ruling  elders,  and  deacons,  in  expressing  approval  of 
the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith  as  revised  in  1903,  are  required  to 
assent  only  to  the  system  of  doctrine  contained  therein,  and  not  to  every 
particular  statement  in  it ;  and  inasmuch  as  the  two  Assemblies  meeting 
in  1904  did  declare  that  there  was  then  a  sufficient  agreement  between 
the  systems  of  doctrine  contained  in  the  Confessions  of  the  two  Churches 
to  warrant  the  union  of  the  Churches,  therefore  the  change  of  doctrinal 
Standards  resulting  from  the  union  involves  no  change  of  belief  on  the 
part  of  any  who  were  ministers,  ruling  elders,  or  deacons  in  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church.  Further,  this  Assembly  specifically  declares 
that,  since  the  revision  of  1903,  by  which  the  Confession  of  Faith  was 
amended,  by  change  of  its  text,  by  a  declaratory  statement  and  by  addi- 
tions, it  is  no  longer  allowable  to  interpret  our  system  of  doctrine  in  any 
fatalistic  sense  ;  nor  are  we  willing  to  admit  that  such  fatalistic  interpre- 
tation was  ever  warranted,  whatever  misapprehension  may  have  existed 
in  the  mind  of  any  person. 

3.  In  view  of  the  fact  that  reunion  involves  no  change  whatever  in 
the  relations  of  communicants,  ruling  elders,  and  deacons  to  their  own 
particular  churches  ;  and,  except  in  a  few  instances,  none  in  their  relations 
to  their  Presbyteries  and  Synods ;  and  brings  all  into  a  General  Assem- 
bly differing  from  their  former  Assembly  only  in  size  and  its  representation 
of  a  larger  Church  ;  this  Assembly  expresses  the  hope  that  all  who  have 
thus  far  opposed  reunion  may  soon  realize  that  they  can  engage  heartily 
in  the  chief  work  that  our  Lord  requires  of  us — the  evangelization  of  the 
world — as  never  before,  and  with  a  prospect  of  a  greater  efficiency  because 
they  lay  aside  personal  preferences  in  the  interest  of  the  union  of  Presby- 
terians in  a  great  forward  movement. — P.,  1906,  p.  210. 


940  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

28.  Action  as  to  amendments  to  Constitution  (P.),  Des  Moines,  la.,  1906. 

1 .   Telegram. 

Des  Moines,  Iowa,  May  18,  1906. 
Rev.  J.  M.  Hubbert,  D.D.,  Stated  Clerk,  General  Assembly,  Decatur,  III.: 
The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
of  America,  in  session  at  Des  Moines,  la.,  May  18,  1906,  has  adopted  a 
resolution  adjudging  and  solemnly  declaring  that  by  virtue  of  the  adoption 
of  the  basis  of  reunion  and  union,  the  amendments  of  the  Constitution  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  adopted  in  1905,  upon  the  consummation  of 
union  will  be  forthwith  no  longer  in  force  nor  operative  in  the  reunited 
Church  as  any  part  of  its  ecclesiastical  Standards,  until  and  unless  resub- 
mitted to  all  the  Presbyteries  of  the  reunited  Church ;  this  resolution  spe- 
cifically makes  an  exception  of  the  amendment  to  Chap,  x,  Sec.  ii,  Form 
of  Government,  which  was  a  condition  of  the  union. 

Wm.  H.  Roberts,  Stated  Clerk. 
P.,  1906,  p.  16  ;  C.  P.,  1906,  p.  33. 

2.    Text  of  Action. 

The  Special  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union,  presented 
a  Special  Report,  which  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows  : 

Whereas,  in  1904-5,  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America  adopted  certain  amendments  to  its  Form  of  Government  and 
Book  of  Discipline,  with  reference  to  judicial  commissions,  etc. ;  and, 

Whereas,  The  said  Church  had  previously  entered  into  a  solemn  agree- 
ment with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  for  reunion  and  union, 
on  a  doctrinal  and  ecclesiastical  basis,  specifically  defined  and  conditioned, 
and  had  provided  that  said  basis  should  be  binding  upon  the  fulfillment 
of  said  conditions  ;  and, 

Whereas,  Said  conditions  have  been  fulfilled,  and  said  basis  has  be- 
come binding, 

Now,  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America  hereby  adjudges  and  solemnly  declares  that,  by  virtue 
of  said  prior  agreement  fixing  the  basis  of  reunion  and  union  as  afore- 
said, under  which  organic  union  is  now  to  be  consummated,  the  amend- 
ments above  referred  to  and  not  contemplated  as  a  part  of  said  basis, 
upon  the  consummation  of  union  will  be  forthwith  no  longer  in  force, 
nor  will  they  be  operative  in  the  reunited  Church  as  any  part  of  its  eccle- 
siastical Standards,  until  and  unless  resubmitted  to  the  Presbyteries  of  the 
reunited  Church  ;  and  all  the  Presbyteries  and  Synods  of  the  Church  are 
enjoined  in  all  cases  hereafter  arising,  to  act  under  the  standards  as  they 
existed  on  May  27,  1904,  except  as  amended  in  respect  to  Chap,  x,  Sec. 
ii,  Form  of  Government,  in  relation  to  the  erection  of  separate  Presby- 
teries and  Synods  for  different  races  and  nationalities. 

The  Stated  Clerk  was  authorized  to  communicate  this  action  to  the 
Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assemblv  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church.— P.,  1906,  pp.  15,  16;  C.  P.',  1906,  p.  46. 

29.  Action  as  to  Cumberland  University. 

The  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union  presented  the  follow- 
ing  supplementary  Report,  which  was  adopted  : 

Whrreas,  Some  discussion  has  arisen  in  regard  to  the  relations  that  may 


HISTORICAL    DOCUMENTS.  941 

be  hereafter  established  between  the  Theological  Department  of  Cum- 
berland University  and  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  U.  S.  A.  ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.  and  the  Committee  on  Fraternity 
and  Union  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  recommend  to  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.  of  1906, 
that  it  recommend  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  U.  S.  A.  of  1907,  that  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Con- 
current Declaration  No.  6  (see  Minutes,  1904,  page  138),  it  adopt  the 
following  paper  as  a  settlement  of  the  matter,  viz. : 

Upon  the  Trustees  of  Cumberland  University  so  changing  their  charter, 
as  amended  in  1903,  as  to  use  the  words  "  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
U.  S.  A."  instead  of  "  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,"  then  the  charter 
of  said  University,  as  amended  in  1903,  shall  be  accepted  as  the  law 
defining  the  relations  of  the  Theological  Department  of  said  University 
to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.; 
and  thereafter  it  is  to  be  a  Theological  School  of  the  said  Church,  and  its 
faculty  and  students  entitled  to  full  and  equal  recognition  with  those 
of  all  other  Theological  Schools  of  said  Church  ;  and  said  Theological 
Department  shall  not  be  separated  from  Cumberland  University  without 
the  consent  of  the  Trustees  of  said  Cumberland  University. 

The  Trustees  shall  require  the  Professors  hereafter  elected  in  the  Theo- 
logical Department,  before  assuming  their  duties,  to  adopt  the  Confession 
of  Faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.,  as  containing  the 
system  of  doctrine  taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures.  At  least  two-thirds  of 
the  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Cumberland  University  shall 
be  at  all  times  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A. — P., 
1906,  p.  172. 

30.  Continuance  of  the  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union. 

a.  The  Committee,  in  closing  its  Report,  places  on  record  its  gratifica- 
tion over  the  increasing  acknowledgment  in  all  Churches  of  the  Presby- 
terian family,  of  the  spiritual  unity  of  the  universal  Church  of  Jesus 
Christ  and  the  obligations  of  Christian  brotherhood.  The  historic  posi- 
tion of  our  own  Church  from  its  establishment  has  been  clear  as  to  Church 
Unity.  We  have  always  maintained  that  the  visible  Church,  which  also 
is  Catholic  or  Universal  under  the  Gospel  (not  confined  to  one  nation,  as 
before  under  the  law),  consists  of  all  those  throughout  the  world  that 
profess  the  true  religion,  together  with  their  children  ;  and  is  the  King- 
dom of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  house  and  family  of  God.  Expressing 
the  hope  that  there  may  be  increasing  acknowledgment  by  all  Christians 
of  the  true  nature  of  the  Church  Universal  and  action  in  accordance 
therewith,  your  Committee  respectfully  asks  to  be  continued,  with  a  view 
to  rendering  further  service  to  the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  in  the  real- 
ization of  His  desire  for  His  people  "that  all  may  be  one." — P.,  1906,  p. 
151.     Adopted,  p.  123. 

b.  The  Moderator  was  authorized  to  appoint  three  additional  members 
upon  the  special  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union,  to  be 
chosen  from  those  formerly  in  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 
He  announced  as  the  appointees  the  following  :  Ministers — Win,  H. 
Black,  D.D.,  and  Wm.  J.  Darby,  D.D.  Elder— Hon.  E.  E.  Beard.— 
P.,  1906,  p.  233. 


942  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 


PART  II. 

THE  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH. 

THE  REVISION,  1900-1903. 

1.  The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures,  1900. 

Your  Committee  deem  these  Overtures  of  such  nature  and  number  as 
to  justify  some  action  on  the  part  of  the  Assembly. 

But  the  Overtures  are  of  such  variety  and  suggest  so  many  paths  of 
process,  that  they  hardly  furnish  sufficient  data  to  justify  a  distinct  trial 
of  any  one  of  the  plans  proposed. 

To  enter  at  once  either  upon  the  revision  of  our  present  Creed,  or 
upon  the  construction  of  a  new  Creed,  or  upon  the  preparation  of  a  sup- 
plemental Creed,  or  of  an  explanatory  statement,  would  be  to  commit 
ourselves  to  undertaking  some  one  of  the  proposed  methods  of  credal 
change,  without  sufficient  knowledge  of  the  mind  of  the  Church  to  war- 
rant reasonable  expectation  of  approval. 

On  the  other  hand,  to  decline  all  action  would  be  to  ignore  a  condition 
that  seems  to  demand  attention,  and  which  involves  a  wide  misrepresenta- 
tion, and,  therefore,  misapprehension  of  our  doctrinal  position. 

We  therefore  recommend  : 

1.  That  a  Committee  of  fifteen,  eight  ministers  and  seven  elders,  be 
now  appointed  by  the  Moderator  to  consider  the  whole  matter  of  a  restate- 
ment of  the  doctrines  most  surely  believed  among  us,  and  which  are  sub- 
stantially embodied  in  our  Confession  of  Faith. 

2.  That  this  Committee  be  enjoined  diligently  to  pursue  their  inquiries, 
seeking  light  and  knowledge  from  every  available  source,  and  to  report  to 
the  next  Assembly  what  specific  action,  if  any,  should  be  taken  by  the 
Church. 

3.  That  to  further  the  work  of  the  Committee  the  Presbyteries  be  and 
are  hereby  invited  by  the  Assembly  to  take  action  on  this  subject  at  their 
approaching  fall  meetings,  and  through  the  Assembly's  Stated  Clerk  to 
report  said  action  to  the  Committee,  whether  suggesting  revisional,  sup- 
plemental, or  substitutional  changes,  or  no  change  at  all. 

On  motion  duly  made  and  carried  the  Moderator  was  added  to  the 
Committee  on  Revision,  and  appointed  its  Chairman. — 1900,  p.  99. 

2.  The  Committee  on  Revision,  1900. 

The  Moderator  announced  the  Committee  on  the  Revision  of  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  as  follows:  Ministers — Chas.  A.  Dickey,  D.D.,  Herrick 
Johnson,  D.D.,  Samuel  J.  Niccolls,  D.D.,  Daniel  W.  Fisher,  D.D., 
William  McKibbin,  D.D.,  George  B.  Stewart,  D.D.,  Stephen  W. 
Dana,  D.D.,  Samuel  P.  Sprecher,  D.D.,  Benjamin  B.  Warfield,  D.D.* 
Elders — Gen.  Benjamin  Harrison,  Justice  John  M.  Harlan,  Daniel  R. 
Noyes,  E.  W.  C.  Humphrey,  William  R.  Crabbe,  John  E.  Parsons,  and 
Elisha  A.  Fraser.— 1900,  p.  147. 
*Dr.  Warfield  declined  to  serve  and  Dr.  Henry  VanDyke  was  appointed  in  his  place. 


THE    CONFESSION    OF    FAITH.  943 

3.  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Revision,  1901. 

After  the  patient  consideration  given  to  this  important  subject,  thus  re- 
corded, and  after  a  protracted,  but  harmonious,  discussion  of  the  subject 
in  all  its  bearings,  and  in  its  possible  issues,  it  was  determined  to  submit 
to  the  General  Assembly  to  convene  in  Philadelphia,  May  16,  1901,  the 
following  findings  and  recommendations,  viz.  : 

I.  That  the  returns  indicate  that  the  Church  desires  some  change  in  its 
credal  statement. 

II.  That  the  returns  indicate  that  no  change  is  desired  which  would  in 
any  way  impair  the  integrity  of  the  system  of  doctrine  contained  in  the 
Confession  of  Faith. 

III.  These  returns  indicate  that  it  is  the  mind  of  the  Church  that  the 
Confession  shall  be  interpreted  throughout  in  harmony  with  the  teaching 
of  Scripture  that  God  is  not  willing  that  anyone  should  perish,  nor  is  it 
the  decree  of  God,  but  the  wickedness  of  their  own  hearts,  which  shuts 
some  men  out  from  the  salvation  freely  and  lovingly  offered  in  Christ 
Jesus  to  all  sinners. 

IV.  These  returns  indicate  that  a  plurality  of  the  Presbyteries  desire 
that  changes  should  be  made  by  some  new  statement  of  present  doctrine. 

V.  The  returns  also  indicate  a  desire  on  the  part  of  many  Presbyteries 
for  some  revision  of  the  present  Confession,  especially  in  Chap,  iii  ;  Chap. 
x,  Sec.  iii  ;  Chap,  xvi,  Sec.  vii ;  Chap,  xxii,  Sec.  iii ;  Chap,  xxv,  Sec.  vi ; 
with  additional  statements  concerning  the  love  of  God  for  all  men,  Mis- 
sions, and  the  Holy  Spirit. 

a.  In  view  of  these  facts  we  recommend  that  a  Committee  as  provided 
for  by  the  Form  of  Government,  Chap,  xxiii,  Sec.  iii,  be  appointed  by 
this  Assembly. 

b.  We  recommend  that  this  Committee  be  instructed  to  prepare  and  to 
submit  to  the  next  General  Assembly,  for  such  disposition  as  may  be 
judged  to  be  wise,  a  brief  statement  of  the  Reformed  Faith,  expressed  as 
far  as  possible  in  untechnical  terms.  The  said  statement  is  to  be  prepared 
with  a  view  to  its  being  employed  to  give  information  and  a  better  under- 
standing of  our  doctrinal  beliefs,  and  not  with  a  view  to  its  becoming  a 
substitute  for,  or  an  alternative  of,  our  Confession  of  Faith. 

c.  We  further  recommend  that  this  Committee  be  instructed  to  prepare 
amendments  of  Chap,  iii ;  Chap,  x,  Sec.  iii ;  Chap,  xvi,  Sec.  vii ;  Chap, 
xxii,  Sec.  iii ;  and  Chap,  xxv,  Sec.  vi,  of  our  Confession  of  Faith,  either 
by  modification  of  the  text  or  by  Declaratory  Statement,  but  so  far  as 
possible  by  Declaratory  Statement,  so  as  more  clearly  to  express  the  mind 
of  the  Church,  with  additional  statements  concerning  the  love  of  God  for 
all  men,  Missions,  and  the  Holy  Spirit.  It  being  understood  that  the  re- 
vision shall  in  no  way  impair  the  integrity  of  the  system  of  doctrine  set 
forth  in  our  Confession  and  taught  in  the  Holy  Scripture. — 1901,  pp.  105, 
106. 

4.  The  Committee  on  Revision,  1901. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  Revision  be  composed  of  twenty-one 
members,  that  the  Moderator  be  a  member  and  Chairman  of  the  Commit- 
tee. The  members  areas  follows  :  Ministers — Henry  Collin  Minton,  D.D., 
Charles  A.  Dickev,  D.D.,  Herrick  Johnson,  D.D.,  Samuel  J.  Niccolls, 
D.D.,    Daniel  W."  Fisher,   D.D.,   William  McKibbin,   D.D.,  George  B. 


944  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

Stewart,  D.D.,  Samuel  P.  Spreeber,  D.D.,  Henrv  VanDyke,  D.D.,  John 
DeWitt,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  J.  Ross  Stevenson,  D.D.,  D.  W.  Moffatt,  D.D., 
S.  B.  McCorraiek,  D.D.  Elder* — Justice  John  M.  Harlan,  Daniel  R. 
Noyes,  E.  W.  C.  Humphrey,  William  R.  Crabhe,  John  E.  Parsons, 
Elisha  A.  Fraser,  Hon.  John  W.  Foster,  Charles  T.  Thompson. — 1901, 
pp.  106,  182. 

5.  The  Secretary  of  the  Committee. 

On  motion  duly  adopted  the  Rev.  William  H.  Roberts,  D.D.,  Stated 
( !lerk  of  the  General  Assembly,  was  appointed  Secretary  of  the  Revision 
Committee.— 1900,  p.  153  ;  1901,  p.  106. 

6.  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Revision,  1902. 

The  Order  of  the  Day,  the  Report  of  the  Special  Committee  on  the 
Revision  of  the  Confession  of  Faith,  was  taken  up.  The  following  resolu- 
tions were  adopted,  with  two  dissenting  votes : 

Resolved,  1.  That  so  much  of  the  Report  as  relates  to  the  eleven  Over- 
tures be  adopted,  with  a  view  to  the  sending  of  the  Overtures  to  the 
Presbyteries  in  due  form. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  Brief  Statement  be  adopted  and  printed  with  the 
approval  of  the  Assembly,  for  use  in  the  Church,  to  instruct  the  people 
and  to  give  a  better  understanding  of  our  doctrinal  beliefs. 

The  Report  was  then  adopted  as  a  whole,  and  is  (in  part)  as  follows  : 

The  Committee  has  taken  the  utmost  care  that  all  its  work,  in  substance 
and  in  form,  should  be  within  the  scope  of  the  instructions  of  the  Assem- 
bly appointing  it.  In  analyzing  these  instructions  it  at  once  found  that 
the  work  assigned  it  was  twofold  ;  in  the  first  place,  it  was  to  prepare  "  a 
brief  statement  of  the  Reformed  Faith,"  to  be  submitted  to  this  Assembly, 
"for  such  disposition  as  may  be  judged  to  be  wise."  The  other  part  of 
its  work  was  the  preparation  and  submission  to  this  Assembly  of  certain 
revisions  of  the  Confession  of  Faith,  in  certain  specified  parts  of  it,  and 
concerning  certain  specified  subjects,  by  the  method  of  textual  modification 
or-  of  Declaratory  Statement,  or  of  additional  statements,  undoubtedly 
with  a  view  to  their  subsequent  adoption  or  rejection  by  the  Presbyteries 
and  by  the  General  Assembly,  by  Constitutional  process  and  in  due  form, 
as  provided  for  in  the  Form  of  Government,  Chap,  xxiii,  Sec.  iv. 

In  addressing  itself  to  this  second  part  of  its  work,  the  Committee  has 
not  been  unmindful  that  its  instructions  gave  distinct  preference  to  the 
method  of  declaratory  statement ;  however,  the  Committee  was  constrained 
to  believe  that  it  had  some  discretion  in  this  matter,  first,  because  the  very 
language  of  its  instructions  left  the  question  an  open  one  for  the  Commit- 
tee ;  and  secondly,  because  of  the  qualifying  clause  "so  as  more  clearly 
to  express  the  mind  of  the  Church."  Accordingly,  it  will  be  seen  that 
this  part  of  our  Report  includes  all  the  methods  named.  We  recommend 
"Additional  statements  concerning  the  love  of  God  for  all  men,  Missions, 
and  the  Holy  Spirit,"  in  the  form  of  new  chapters  to  be  added  to  the  Con- 
fession ;  we  recommend  a  Declaratory  Statement  in  reference  to  Chap,  iii 
and  Chap,  x.  Sec.  iii  ;  and  we  recommend  textual  modifications  in  Chap. 
xvi,  Sec.  vii ;  Chap,  xxii,  Sec.  iii,  and  Chap,  xxv,  Sec.  vi. 

It  is  improper  to  argue  now  in  support  of  the  decision  at  which  the  Com- 
mittee arrived  in  this  particular  matter.  It  is  enough  to  say  that  after 
prolonged  and  serious  consideration,  in  comparison  of  the  different  methods 


THE    CONFESSION    OF    FAITH.  945 

proposed,  the  Committee  was  persuaded  that  the  method  agreed  upon 
would  most  satisfactorily  accomplish  the  end  designed,  aud  at  the  same 
time  would  most  nearly  meet  the  mind  of  the  whole  Church. 

I.  The  Committee,  therefore,  recommeuds  that  the  General  Assembly 
transmit  to  the  Presbyteries  for  their  action,  uuder  the  Form  of  Govern- 
ment, present   Chap,  xxiii,  Sec.  iv,  the  following  Overtures. 

7.  Text  of  the  Revision. 

For  the  text  of  the  Revisions  and  Additions  to  the  Confession  of  Faith, 
see  under  the  respective  Chapters  in  this  Digest,  as  follows  :  Chap,  iii,  p. 
948  ;  Chap,  x,  p.  948  ;  Chap,  xvi,  p.  949  ;  Chap,  xxii,  p.  950  ;  Chap,  xxv, 
p.  956  ;  Chap,  xxxiv,  p.  958  ;  Chap,  xxxv,  p.  959  ;  and  Declaratory  State- 
ment, p.  959.— 1902,  pp.  86,  87. 

8.  Footnotes  Adopted. 

a.  The  General  Assembly  of  1902  sent  down  to  the  Presbyteries  the 
following  Overture  : 

Overture  No.  4. — Shall  footnotes  be  appended  to  Chap,  iii  and  Chap. 
x,  Sec.  iii,  of  the  Confession  of  Faith,  reading,  "  See  Declaratory  State- 
ment"?—1902,  p.  89. 

b.  Resolved,  That  Overture  No.  4,  having  received  the  affirmative 
vote  of  221  Presbyteries,  submitted  in  writing,  the  Standing  Committee 
on  Editions  of  the  Confession  be  directed  to  append  footnotes  to  Chap,  iii 
and  to  Chap,  x,  Sec.  iii,  of  the  Confession,  reading,  "  See  Declaratory 
Statement,"  p.  959.— 1903,  p.  125. 


CHAPTER  I. 

OF  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURE. 

The  McGiffert  Case. 

1.  Counsel  given,  either  to  conform  views  to  the  Standards  or  to  peaceably 
withdraw  from  the  Presbyterian  ministry. 

The  Report  as  amended  was  adopted,  as  follows  : 

The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  respectfully  submits  the  follow- 
ing Report  on  : 

Overture  No.  9  referred  to  this  Committee  by  the  Assembly.  This  is 
an  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Pittsburgh,  calling  to  the  attention 
of  the  Assembly  a  volume  of  the  International  Theological  Library,  en- 
titled, A  History  of  Christianity  in  the  Apostolic  Age,  the  author  of  which 
is  the  Rev.  A.  C.  McGiffert,  D.D.,  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  New 
York,  and  overturing  the  General  Assembly  to  adopt  such  measures  in 
regard  thereto  as  shall  be  conducive  to  the  Church's  purity,  peace,  and 
honor,  and  to  the  maintenance  of  the  authority  of  the  oracles  of  God. 

To  this  Overture  we  recommend  the  following  answer : 

The  Assembly  recognizes  the  zeal  for  pure  doctrine  represented  by  the 
Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Pittsburgh,  and  is  itself  now  as  always 
profoundly  concerned  for  the  maintenance  of  the  faith.  It  enjoins  upon 
all  its  ministers  especial  care  in  these  times  of  doubt,  and  even  denial,  of 
things  which  the  Church  holds  sacred,  to  distinguish,  as  clearly  as  possible, 

60 


946  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

from  all  forms  of  error,  the  truth  of  God  as  revealed  in  His  Word  and 
interpreted  in  the  Standards  of  our  Church ;  and,  in  particular,  constantly 
to  endeavor,  whether  in  preaching  or  in  teaching,  by  the  spoken  or  written 
word,  to  present  the  positive  truth  so  distinctly  and  so  attractively  that 
men  shall  understand  it  and  be  drawn  toward  it ;  and  that  especially  the 
Scriptures,  which  are  the  Word  of  God,  may  be  everywhere  accepted  and 
believed  as  the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice. 

The  Assembly,  indeed,  desires  the  fullest  and  freest  investigation  and 
inquiry  on  the  part  of  reverent  Christian  students  into  the  foundations  of 
the  Christian  faith,  but  it  deprecates  everything  which,  whether  in  its  sub- 
stance or  in  the  form  of  its  expression,  needlessly  disturbs  the  faith  of 
Christian  people. 

The  General  Assembly  deplores  the  renewal  of  controversy  occasioned 
by  the  publication  of  this  book  at  a  time  when  our  recent  divisions  were 
scarcely  healed.  It  sympathizes  with  the  widespread  belief  that  the  utter- 
ances of  Dr.  McGiffert  are  inconsistent  with  the  teachings  of  Scripture,  as 
interpreted  by  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  by  evangelical  Christendom, 
and  the  Assembly  stamps  with  its  emphatic  disapproval  all  utterances  in 
the  book  called  to  its  attention  by  the  Presbytery  of  Pittsburgh,  not  in 
accord  with  the  Standards  of  our  Church. 

But  the  Church  needs  peace  :  the  union  of  all  its  forces ;  the  coopera- 
tion of  all  its  members  ;  a  spirit  of  brotherhood  and  mutual  confidence,  so 
that  it  may  address  itself  with  intense  zeal  and  no  waste  of  energy  to  its 
great  pressing  and  practical  work  of  saving  the  souls  of  men. 

The  Assembly,  therefore,  in  the  spirit  of  kindness,  no  less  than  in  de- 
votion to  the  truth,  counsels  Dr.  McGiffert  to  reconsider  the  questionable 
views  set  forth  in  his  book,  and  if  he  cannot  conform  his  views  to  the 
Standards  of  our  Church,  then  peaceably  to  withdraw  from  the  Presby- 
terian ministry. — 1898,  p.  107. 

2.  Unanimous  deliverance  on  The  inerrancy  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  The 
infallibility  of  Jesus  Christ,  The  direct  personal  institution  of  the  Lord's 
Supper  by  our  Lord,  and  Justification  try  Faith  alone. 

The  first  part  of  the  Report  was  unanimously  adopted  by  a  rising  vote, 
and  is  as  follows  : 

In  reference  to  Overtures  Nos.  131-139  inclusive,  and  Overture  No. 
223,  respecting  the  teachings  of  the  Rev.  A.  C.  McGiffert,  D.D.,  and  also 
in  reference  to  Communication  No.  140,  being  the  reply  of  the  Rev.  A.  C. 
McGiffert,  D.D.,  to  the  deliverance  of  the  Assembly  of  1898,  the  Com- 
mittee on  Bills  and  Overtures  would  report  as  follows : 

Inasmuch  as  the  General  Assembly  of  1898,  "in  the  spirit  of  kindness 
no  less  than  in  devotion  to  the  truth,"  counseled  Dr.  McGiffert  to  reconsider 
questionable  views  set  forth  in  a  book  entitled  A  History  of  Christianity  in 
the  Apostolic  Age,  and  in  the  event  of  his  failure  to  conform  his  views  to 
the  Standards  of  our  Church  to  peaceably  withdraw  from  the  Presbyterian 
ministry,  and  inasmuch  as  the  General  Assembly  of  1899  has  received  a 
communication  from  the  Rev.  A.  C.  McGiffert,  D.D.,  in  which  he  says, 
"  The  action  of  the  Assembly,  as  well  as  the  Overture  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Pittsburgh,  upon  which  that  action  was  based,  make  it  evident  that  many 
of  my  positions,  together  with  the  spirit  and  purpose  of  my  book  as  a  whole, 
have  been  seriously  misapprehended.  Such  misapprehension  I  sincerely 
regret,  and  I  wish  here  emphatically  to  repudiate  the  false  constructions 


THE    CONFESSION    OF    FAITH.  947 

that  have  been  placed  upon  my  book  in  many  quarters.  So  far  as  my 
views  are  concerned,  they  have  been  and  remain,  as  I  believe,  in  accord 
with  the  faith  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  evangelical  Christendom  in 
all  vital  and  essential  matters"  ;  the  Assembly,  therefore,  note  the  repudi- 
ation by  Dr.  McGiffert  of  the  interpretation  placed  upon  his  utterances  in 
said  book  as  being  not  in  accord  with  the  Standards  of  our  Church,  and 
his  assertion  of  devotion  to  the  truth  and  his  concern  for  the  welfare  of  the 
Church,  and  while  accepting  the  same  as  sincere,  the  Assembly,  neverthe- 
less, reassert  the  deliverance  of  1898,  condemning  the  statements  of  said 
book  as  being  such  as  to  justify  the  interpretation  so  repudiated. 

And  in  regard  to  fundamental  doctrines  of  our  Church  involved  in  this 
matter,  this  Assembly  solemnly  declare  : 

1.  It  is  a  fundamental  doctrine  of  the  Word  of  God  and  the  Confession 
of  Faith,  that  the  Holy  Spirit  did  so  control  the  inspired  writers  in  their 
composition  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  to  make  their  statements  absolutely 
truthful,  i.  e.,  free  from  error  when  interpreted  in  their  natural  and  intended 
sense.  All  seeming  discrepancies  and  contradictions  in  the  Bible  are  to  be 
referred  to  the  limitations  upon  human  knowledge.  To  hold  that  the  Holy 
Scriptures  are  in  any  respect  historically  inaccurate  is  to  oppose  the  teach- 
ing of  the  Confession,  Chap,  i,  Sec.  iv,  which  declares  that  "the  authority 
of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  for  which  it  ought  to  be  believed  and  obeyed, 
dependeth  wholly  upon  God  the  author  thereof;  and  therefore  it  is  to  be 
received  because  it  is  the  Word  of  God." 

2.  It  is  a  fundamental  doctrine  of  the  Word  of  God  and  the  Confession 
of  Faith  that  "The  Son  of  God,  the  second  person  in  the  Trinity,  being 
very  and  eternal  God,  of  one  substance,  and  equal  with  the  Father,  did, 
when  the  fullness  of  time  was  come,  take  upon  Him  man's  nature  with  all 
the  essential  properties  and  common  infirmities  thereof,  yet  without  sin. 
So  that  two  whole  perfect  and  distinct  natures,  the  Godhead  and  the  man- 
hood, were  inseparably  joined  together  in  one  person  without  conversion, 
composition,  or  confusion."  It  is  also  a  fundamental  doctrine  that  "the 
Lord  Jesus,  in  His  human  nature  thus  united  to  the  divine,  was  sanctified 
and  anointed  with  the  Holy  Spirit  above  measure ;  having  in  Him  all  the 
treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge  ;  in  whom  it  pleased  the  Father  that 
all  fullness  should  dwell"  (Confession,  Chap,  viii,  Sees,  ii  and  iii).  These 
doctrines  of  the  Confession  forbid  any  teaching  respecting  the  Lord  Jesus 
which  would  attribute  to  Him,  in  any  particular,  liability  to  error. 

3.  It  is  also  a  fundamental  doctrine  of  the  Word  of  God  and  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith  that  "our  Lord  Jesus,  in  the  night  wherein  He  was 
betrayed,  instituted  the  sacrament  of  His  body  and  blood,  called  the  Lord's 
Supper,  to  be  observed  in  His  Church  unto  the  end  of  the  world,"  and 
further  that  "  the  Lord  Jesus  hath,  in  this  ordinance,  appointed  His  minis- 
ters to  declare  His  Word  of  Institution  to  the  people,  to  pray,  and  bless  the 
elements  of  bread  and  wine,  etc."  (Confession,  Chap,  xxix,  Sees,  i  and  iii). 
No  teaching  which  declares  that  the  Lord's  Supper  was  instituted  in  any 
other  manner  than  by  the  direct  personal  act  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  is  in  har- 
mony with  the  truth  of  the  Holy  Scripture,  or  loyal  to  the  person  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

4.  It  is  also  a  fundamental  doctrine  of  the  Word  of  God  and  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith  that  God  justifies  men  "by  imputing  the  obedience  and 
satisfaction  of  Christ  to  them,  they  receiving  and  resting  upon  Him  and 
His  righteousness  by  faith,  which  faith  they  have  not  in  themselves  ;  it  is 
the  Gift  of  God.     Faith,  thus  receiving  and  resting  in  Christ  and  His 


948  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

righteousness,  is  the  alone  instrument  of  justification  "  (Confession,  Chap, 
xi,  Sees,  i  and  ii).  Any  teaching  which  in  any  way  modifies  or  belittles 
the  essential  act  and  exclusive  necessity  of  faith,  in  human  salvation,  is 
mischievous,  and  dishonoring  to  the  Word  and  sacrifice  of  Jesus  Christ. 

This  Assembly  enjoins  upon  all  Sessions  and  Presbyteries  loyally  to 
defend  and  protect  these  fundamental  doctrines  of  this  Confessional  Church. 
—1899,  p.  96. 

3.  Dr.  McGiffert  withdraws  and  case  closed. 

Judicial  Case  No.  8,  being  the  appeal  of  George  W.  F.  Birch,  D.D.,  vs. 
final  judgment  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  York.  Your  Committee  finds 
said  appeal  regular,  but  inasmuch  as  the  case  raises  difficult  technical 
questions  as  to  procedure  (because,  through  the  course  that  has  been  taken, 
the  situation  created  is  unique,  and  should  not  become  a  precedent),  and 
also  inasmuch  as  Rev.  Dr.  McGiffert  has  withdrawn  from  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America;  therefore, 
be  it 

Resolved,  That  without  entering  upon  the  constitutional  questions  in- 
volved, and  without  any  prejudice  whatever  to  the  appellant  while  enter- 
taining the  appeal  as  regular,  this  General  Assembly  deems  it  best,  con- 
sidering the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the  Church,  that  the  appellant  be 
given  leave  to  withdraw  his  appeal. — 1900,  p.  82. 

Resolved,  That  the  desire  of  Rev.  Dr.  George  W.  F.  Birch,  appellant, 
be  granted,  and  the  case  be  and  is  hereby  closed. — 1900,  p.  85. 


CHAPTER   III. 

OF  GOD'S  ETERNAL  DECREE* 
[*See  Declaratory  Statement,  this  Digest,  p.  960,  and  Sect.  8,  p.  945.] 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

OF  CHRIST  THE  MEDIATOR. 

[See  for  unanimous  Deliverance  upon  the  infallibility  of  Christ,  this 
Digest,  p.  947.] 


CHAPTER   X. 
OF  EFFECTUAL  CALLING. 


III.*  Elect  infants,  dying  in  infancy,  are  regenerated  and  saved  by 
Christ,  through  the  Spirit,  who  worketh,  when,  and  where,  and  how  He 
pleaseth. 

[*  See  Declaratory  Statement,  this  Digest,  p.  960,  and  Sect.  8,  p.  945.] 


THE    CONFESSION    OF    FAITH.  949 

CHAPTER   XL 

OF  JUSTIFICATION. 

SECTION   II. 

1.  The  doctrine  of  justification  by  faith  and  the  doctrine  of  baptism  to 
be  maintained  in  interdenominational  intercourse. 

Overture  No.  16,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Aberdeen,  requesting  the 
Assembly's  judgment  ou  the  following  questions:  1.  In  our  interdenomi- 
national intercourse  are  we  to  consider  and  treat  a  Church  as  one  of  the 
evangelical  Churches  if  it  denies  the  historic  Protestant  principle  of  jus- 
tification by  faith  alone  ;  or,  if  it  insists  that  baptism  is  essential  for  sal- 
vation ?  2.  Is  it  expedient  for  Presbyterian  Young  People's  Societies  to 
affiliate  in  formal  union  with  Young  People's  Societies  of  Churches  which 
hold  the  aforenamed  views  ?  It  is  recommended  that  these  questions  be 
answered  as  follows : 

1.  The  doctrine  of  justification  by  faith  alone  was  a  distinguishing  and 
cardinal  principle  of  the  Protestant  Reformation  in  the  sixteenth  century, 
and  is  accepted  as  a  fundamental  doctrine  of  the  Evangelical  Alliance. 
In  all  the  relations  of  life  we  are  to  maintain  this  great  article  of  the 
Christian  faith,  and  do  nothing  that  can  fairly  be  regarded  as  a  repudia- 
tion of  it.  The  application  in  interdenominational  intercourse  of  its 
general  obligations  belongs,  as  occasion  may  arise,  to  those  who  in  the 
providence  of  God  are  called  to  apply  it. — 1899,  p.  54. 

2.  The  doctrine  of  our  Church  regarding  baptism  is  adequately  set 
forth  in  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Larger  and  Shorter  Catechisms.  In 
accordance  with  this  doctrine  as  there  set  forth,  all  interdenominational 
intercourse  ought  to  be  regulated.      Adopted. — 1899,  p.  54. 

[Note. — See  also  unanimous  Deliverance  upon  justifying  faith,  this 
Digest,  p.  947.] 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

OF  GOOD  WORKS. 
Sec.  vii,  Chap,  xvi  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  is  changed  so  as  to  read: 

VII.  Works  done  by  unregenerate  men,  although  for  the  matter  of 
them  they  may  be  things  which  God  commands,  and  in  themselves  praise- 
worthy and  useful,  and  although  the  neglect  of  such  things  is  sinful  and 
displeasing  unto  God  ;  yet  because  they  proceed  not  from  a  heart  purified 
by  faith,  nor  are  done  in  a  right  manner,  according  to  His  Word,  nor  to 
a  right  end,  the  glory  of  God  ;  they  come  short  of  what  God  requires  and 
do  not  make  any  man  meet  to  receive  the  grace  of  God. — 1903,  p.  125. 

[See  for  previous  form  of  the  Section,  this  Digest,  p.  86.] 


950  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

OF  LAWFUL  OATHS  AND  VOWS. 

The  last  clause  in  Sec.  iii,  Chap,  xxii  of  the  Confession  of  Faith 
has  been  stricken  out  of  the  Confession. 

"  Yet  it  is  a  sin  to  refuse  an  oath  touching  anything  that  is  good  and 
just,  being  imposed  by  lawful  authority." — 1903,  p.  125. 
[See  for  previous  form  of  the  Section,  this  Digest,  p.  91.] 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 

OF  MARRIAGE  AND  DIVORCE. 

SECTION  I. 

Deliverances  on  Polygamy. 

1.  Action  against  Brigham  H.  Roberts. 

Whereas,  The  election  of  Brigham  H.  Roberts,  of  Utah,  an  avowed 
polygamist,  to  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Fifty-sixth  Congress, 
has  called  the  attention  of  the  country  to  the  fact  that  the  Mormon  leaders 
are  still  living  in  polygamous  relations  in  violation  of  their  oaths  and 
pledges,  and  in  defiance  of  the  public  sentiment  and  laws  of  the  country, 
as  well  as  in  defiance  of  the  laws  and  Constitution  of  the  State  of  Utah  ;  and, 

Whereas,  The  teaching  and  practice  of  polygamy  is  demoralizing  to 
society,  and  destructive  to  the  fundamental  principles  upon  which  our  free 
institutions  and  our  Christian  civilization  rest ;  and, 

Whereas,  In  view  of  the  past  history  of  the  contest  over  the  practice 
of  polygamy,  the  House  of  Representatives  cannot  permit  the  said 
Brigham  H.  Roberts  to  have  a  voice  in  its  councils  without  in  effect 
sanctioning  the  practice  of  polygamy  ;  and, 

Whereas,  The  polygamous  element  is  the  dominant  power  in  Utah, 
making  it  impossible  to  exterminate  polygamous  cohabitation  without  the 
assistance  of  the  National  Government : 

This  General  Assembly,  representing  228  Presbyteries,  over  7000 
ministers,  and  7700  churches,  with  one  million  communicants  and  about 
five  million  adherents,  do  hereby  most  respectfully  and  most  earnestly 
call  upon  every  Representative  in  the  Fifty-sixth  Congress  to  use  his 
utmost  endeavor  and  to  exhaust  all  honorable  means  to  secure  the  prompt 
expulsion  of  the  said  Brigham  H.  Roberts,  of  Utah,  from  the  House  of 
Representatives,  in  accordance  with  the  provision  of  the  National  Constitu- 
tion in  Article  1,  Section  5,  paragraph  2,  which  reads  as  follows :  "  Each 
house  [of  Congress]  may  determine  the  rules  of  its  proceedings,  punish 
its  members  for  disorderly  behavior,  and,  with  the  concurrence  of  two- 
thirds,  expel  a  member." 

This  Assembly  do  also  hereby  most  respectfully  and  most  earnestly 
call  upon  every  member  of  the  Senate  and  the  House  of  Representatives 
to  use  his  utmost  endeavor  and  to  exhaust  all  honorable  means  to 
secure  action  by  the  Fifty-sixth  Congress  proposing  an  amendment  to  the 
National  Constitution,  and  submitting  the  same  to  the  Legislatures  of  the 


THE    CONFESSION    OF    FAITH.  951 

several  States,  defining  legal  marriage  to  be  monogamic,  and  making 
polygamy  and  polygamous  cohabitation,  under  whatsoever  guise  or  pre- 
tense, a  crime  against  the  United  States,  punishable  by  severe  penalties, 
including  disfranchisement  and  disqualification  to  vote,  or  to  hold  any 
office  of  honor  or  emolument  under  the  United  States,  or  in  any  State  or 
Territory  thereof. 

This  Assembly  also  urge  upon  every  qualified  voter  in  our  various  local 
churches  throughout  the  land  to  use  his  utmost  endeavor  and  to  exhaust 
all  honorable  means  to  make  known  to  the  Representative  of  his  district 
and  Senators  of  his  State,  the  earnest  desire  of  their  constituents  for  the 
expulsion  of  the  said  Brigham  H.  Roberts,  and  the  adoption  of  a  Consti- 
tutional amendment  which  will  effectually  put  a  stop  to  the  practice  of 
polygamy  within  the  borders  of  our  beloved  land,  and  to  assure  the  said 
Senators  and  Representatives  of  the  moral  support  and  hearty  cooperation 
of  every  good  citizen,  in  their  efforts  to  deliver  the  nation  from  the  disgrace 
and  curse  of  polygamy. — 1899,  p.  100. 

2.  Approval  of  expulsion  of  Brigham  H.  Roberts. 

Resolved,  1.  That  this  Assembly  recognize  with  profound  gratitude  and 
appreciation  the  action  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  our  National 
Congress  in  excluding  from  its  membership  Brigham  H.  Roberts,  the 
polygamist,  whom  the  voters  of  Utah  elected  in  defiance  of  the  moral 
sense  of  the  American  people,  and  in  direct  violation  of  the  pledge  made 
when  Statehood  was  granted  them. — 1900,  p.  109. 

3.  Action  against  Reed  Smoot. 

a.  This  Assembly,  in  agreement  with  the  spirit  of  the  Assembly  of  1899 
(Minutes,  p.  100),  1900  (Minutes,  p.  108),  and  1901  (Minutes,  p.  50)? 
relative  to  the  aggressions,  crimes,  and  menace  of  the  Mormon  hierarchy, 
presents  the  following  Memorial  to  the  People  and  Congress  of  the  United 
States : 

Whereas,  The  hierarchy,  known  as  "  The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of 
Latter  Day  Saints,"  persists  in  the  act  of  encouragement  and  practice  of 
the  crimes  of  polygamy  and  polygamous  cohabitation,  in  disregard  of  their 
own  pledges  and  oaths  to  the  contrary,  in  contempt  of  the  ethical  convic- 
tions of  the  American  people,  and  in  defiance  of  the  laws  of  the  State  of 
Utah  and  of  the  United  States  ;   and, 

Whereas,  This  hierarchy  recently,  January  20,  1903,  through  the  Utah 
State  Legislature,  has  had  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate  a  high 
ecclesiastic,  one  of  its  chief  authorities,  the  apostle  Reed  Smoot,  in  direct 
violation  of  its  pledge  to  the  Nation  to  refrain  from  interfering  in  a  flairs 
of  State  ;  and, 

Whereas,  This  apostle  Senator  Reed  Smoot  is  a  direct  representative  of 
polygamy,  born  of  the  system,  and  in  cordial  sympathy  with  it  as  a  divine 
institution,  revealed  as  a  law  of  primary  obligation  and  made  mandatory 
by  the  most  solemn  sanctions,  and  encourages  its  perpetuation  and  practice 
by  his  personal  influence  as  an  apostle  ;  and, 

Whereas,  In  thus  doing  this  apostle  Senator  aids  and  abets  criminals, 
menaces  the  American  home,  is  unfaithful  to  the  laws  of  the  United 
States,  pays  his  first  allegiance  to  the  First  Presidency  and  apostleate  to 
which  he  belongs,  and  is  a  reproach  to  the  honor  and  dignity  of  the 
American  Senate  ;  therefore, 


952  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  most  respectfully  but  earnestly  calls  upon 
the  people  of  the  United  States  to  use  their  utmost  endeavor,  employing 
all  honorable  means,  to  secure  the  expulsion  of  apostle  Reed  Smoot  from 
the  halls  of  the  National  Senate,  and  urges  the  Senate  itself  and  each 
member  thereof  to  exhaust  all  legal  means  to  this  end,  in  accordance  with 
the  provisions  of  the  Federal  Constitution. 

b.  Be  it  Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  most  respectfully  but  earnestly 
calls  upon  the  people  of  the  United  States  to  use  their  utmost  endeavor, 
employing  all  honorable  means,  to  secure  the  expulsion  of  Apostle  Reed 
Smoot  from  the  halls  of  the  National  Senate,  and  urges  the  Senate  itself 
and  each  member  thereof  to  exhaust  all  legal  means  to  this  end,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  provisions  of  the  Federal  Constitution. — 1904,  p.  186. 

c.  The  following  paper  was  adopted  : 

Whereas,  The  Hierarchy  of  the  Mormon  Church  claims  to  be  "  the 
only  legal  government  that  can  exist  in  any  part  of  the  universe  (and 
that)  all  other  governments  are  illegal  and  unauthorized,"  asserting  as  a 
part  of  their  inspired  teachings  that  "  the  day  will  come  when  the  United 
States  Government  will  be  uprooted  or  brought  under  subjection  to  the 
Mormon  power";  and, 

Whereas,  They  have  already  gained  absolute  political  control  of  three 
States,  with  the  confident  hope  of  controlling  two  others  at  an  early  day; 
and, 

Whereas,  The  Hierarchy  is  living  in  violation  of  the  laws  and  Consti- 
tution of  the  State  of  Utah,  has  announced  its  purpose  to  continue  in  dis- 
obedience to  the  civil  authority,  and  has  proclaimed  the  Mormon  Church 
a  polygamous  community  by  confirming  at  their  annual  Conference  in 
April  the  score  of  polygamous  Prophets,  Seers,  and  Revelators  ;  and, 

Whereas,  Apostle  Reed  Smoot,  now  a  member  of  the  United  States 
Senate,  has  by  his  public  vote  in  the  Mormon  Conference  sustained  again 
and  again  this  treasonable  organization  ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Assembly  unite  with  other  Christian  and 
patriotic  bodies  in  requesting  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  in  the 
exercise  of  its  Constitutional  powers  or  prerogatives,  to  purge  itself  of  all 
complicity  with  the  crimes  of  the  Mormon  Hierarchy  by  expelling  the 
Apostle  Senator  Reed  Smoot  from  membership  in  the  Senate. — 1905,  p.  95. 

d.  The  following  Resolutions  were  adopted  : 

Wliereas,  The  Mormon  Hierarchy  claims  the  right  and  authority  to 
make  constitutions,  presidents,  and  kings,  also  asserts  that  there  is  no 
lawful  or  authorized  government  but  the  government  of  the  Mormon 
priesthood ;  and, 

Whereas,  Its  teachers,  claiming  inspiration,  declare  that  the  government 
of  the  United  States  and  all  other  governments  must  be  uprooted  ;  and. 

Whereas,  Reed  Smoot,  claiming  to  be  an  apostle  of  Jesus  Christ,  with 
all  authority,  is  living  in  harmony  with  this  teaching,  and  in  harmony  with 
the  Prophet,  Seer,  and  Revelator,  Joseph  F.  Smith,  and  other  apostles,  who 
have  sworn  that  they  were  violating  the  law  of  God  and  of  the  State  of 
Utah ;  and, 

Whereas,  These  violators  of  law  are  a  treasonable  organization  ;  there- 
fore, 

Resolved,  That  as  citizens  of  this  government  we  earnestly  petition  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States  to  declare  his  seat  vacant,  and  thus  help 
remove  this  treasonable  menace  to  our  free  institutions. 

Rexolved,  That  we  urge  all  of  our  ministers  to  inform  themselves  of  the 


THE    CONFESSION    OF    FAITH.  953 

treasonable  teachings  of  the  Mormon  Hierarchy  in  reference  to  civil  gov- 
ernments and  citizen  rights. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  this  action  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  in  session  at  Des 
Moines,  Iowa,  be  transmitted  to  the  Senate  and  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States.— 1906,  p.  163. 

4.  Petitions  and  action  for  an  amendment  to  the  Constitution  of  the 

United  States. 

a.  Resolved,  That  this  General  Assembly  hereby  reaffirms  the  action  of 
the  last  two  Assemblies  (see  Minutes  of  1899,  p.  100,  and  Minutes  of  1900, 
p.  108)  so  far  as  these  actions  endorse  the  movement  for  the  proposed  anti- 
polygamy  amendment  to  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States.  We  earn- 
estly urge  upon  Congress  the  importance  of  prompt  action  in  this  matter, 
so  that  such  an  amendment  may  be  submitted  to  the  States  before  the  Mor- 
mons gain  the  balance  of  political  power  in  any  additional  States  of  the 
Union.— 1901,  p.  50. 

b.  Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  also  calls  upon  the  people  and  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States,  in  both  Houses,  and  each  member  of  each 
House,  to  employ  and  exhaust  all  legal  and  honorable  means  to  secure 
such  an  amendment  of  the  Federal  Constitution  as  shall  define  legal  mar- 
riage as  monogamic,  and  make  polygamy  and  polygamous  cohabitations 
under  every  guise  and  pretense  a  crime  against  the  United  States,  punish- 
able by  adequate  penalties,  including  the  disfranchisement  and  disqualifi- 
cation to  vote  or  hold  office  under  the  United  States,  or  in  any  State  or 
Territory  under  their  jurisdiction. — 1903,  p.  149;  1904,  p.  86. 

c.  Paper  No.  286,  requesting  a  deliverance  from  this  Assembly  approv- 
ing, in  the  name  of  our  Church,  the  joint  resolution  proposing  an  amend- 
ment to  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  prohibiting  polygamy  within 
the  United  States,  being  a  joint  resolution  introduced  in  the  United  States 
Senate  May  9,  1906.      The  following  action  is  recommended  : 

1.  The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America  has  heretofore  repeatedly  expressed  its  abhorrence  of 
polygamy,  and  has  appealed  to  patriotic  Christian  men  and  women  of  our 
land  to  use  their  united  influence  to  secure  the  enactment  of  whatever  laws 
may  seem  most  wise  and  most  efficient  tor  the  utter  obliteration  of  this  vice, 
as  an  organized  system  or  as  an  individual  practice,  and  did  more  partic- 
ularly in  1881  (see  Minutes,  pp.  549  and  550)  urge  our  own  members, 
without  respect  to  party  lines,  zealously  to  exert  their  influence  in  every 
lawful  method  for  the  enactment  of  an  amendment  to  the  national  Con- 
stitution that  shall  forever  forbid  the  existence  of  polygamy  in  the  nation  : 
Now  this  Assembly  records  its  gratification  and  satisfaction  in  the  proposed 
submission  to  the  Legislatures  of  the  several  States  of  a  new  Article,  to  be 
known  as  Article  16  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  prohibiting 
polygamy  and  polygamous  cohabitation  within  the  United  States,  and  reiter- 
ates its  former  counsel  to  all  the  members  of  our  Church  to  exert  their 
influence  in  their  several  localities  to  secure  the  ratification  of  such  amend- 
ment, if  said  joint  resolution  proposing  said  amendment  be  adopted  by  the 
Senate  and  House  of  Representatives. 

2.  We  recommend  that  a  copy  of  this  action  be  officially  laid  before  the 
President  of  the  United  States  and  the  presiding  officers  of  the  two  Houses 
of  Congress,  as  conveying  the  sentiment  and  desire  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America. — 1906,  p.  93. 


954  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

SECTION    VI. 

Deliverances  on  Divorce  and  Remarriage. 

1.  Appointment,  Committee  of  Conference  with  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
and  other  Churches. 

Papers  Nos.  30  and  31,  with  regard  to  Divorce  and  Remarriage.  One 
of  these  is  a  communication  from  the  Committee  of  the  General  Conven- 
tion of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  making  request  for  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  similar  Committee  to  confer  upon  the  subject  of  divorce  and 
remarriage.  There  have  also  been  placed  in  our  hands  Overtures  Nos. 
32-34,  from  the  Presbyteries  of  Baltimore,  Washington,  and  Mattoon,  on 
the  same  subject.  We  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolu- 
tions : 

Resolved,  1.  That  in  response  to  the  fraternal  request  of  the  Committee 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  this  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  appoints  a  Committee 
of  nine  persons,  five  ministers  and  four  elders,  to  confer  with  the  Commit- 
tee of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and  with  similar  Committees  that 
may  be  created  by  other  Churches,  with  a  view  of  securing  some  con- 
certed opinion  and  action  by  the  Churches  of  America  relative  to  divorce 
and  remarriage,  and  so  to  affect  public  opinion  that  uniform  legislation 
may  be  enacted  by  the  State  that  will  conserve  the  family  institution,  and 
preserve  the  sanctity  of  the  marriage  bond. 

Resolved,  2.  Relative  to  that  part  of  the  Overtures  from  the  Presby- 
teries of  Washington  and  Baltimore,  which  ask  that  constitutional  steps 
be  taken  to  amend  Chap,  xxiv,  Sec.  vi  of  the  Confession  of  Faith,  so 
that  the  clause  "and  such  wilful  desertion  as  can  in  no  way  be  remedied 
by  the  Church  or  civil  magistrates"  be  stricken  out ;  the  Committee  rec- 
ommends that  since  the  General  Assembly  has  authorized  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  Committee  to  confer  with  the  Committees  of  other  Churches  in 
America  on  this  subject,  looking  to  some  concerted  action,  it  would  not  be 
advisable  to  take  up  the  question  of  altering  our  own  Constitution  until 
this  Committee  has  reported. — 1902,  p.  126. 

2.  Ministers  to  ascertain  if  impediments  exist. 

Resolved,  3.  That  this  General  Assembly,  viewing  with  sad  apprehen- 
sion the  many  perils  to  family  life  in  our  time,  the  growing  ease  and  fre- 
quency of  divorces  upon  grounds  trivial  and  unscriptural,  urges  upon  all 
our  people  the  promotion  of  a  wider  reverence  for  the  marriage  bond  ;  and 
requires  of  all  our  ministers  that  they  instruct  their  people  in  public  and 
private  of  the  sacredness  of  this  divine  institution,  and  that  they  exercise 
due  diligence  before  the  celebration  of  a  marriage  to  ascertain  that  there 
exist  no  impediments  thereto,  as  defined  in  our  Confession  of  Faith. — 1902, 
p.  126. 

3.  Uniformity  of  legislation  desirable. 

Resolved,  1.  That  this  General  Assembly  approves  the  action  of  its 
Committee,  in  conference  with  the  representatives  of  other  Churches,  as 
submitted  in  the  foregoing  Report. 

Resolved,  2.  That  this  General  Assembly  favors  every  lawful  endeavor 
to  correct  the  evils  of  lax  legislation   regarding  the  subjects  of  divorce 


THE    CONFESSION    OP    FAITH.  955 

and  remarriage,  and  to  secure  such  uniformity  of  legislation  thereon  as 
may  best  promote  the  purity  of  society. 

4.  Action  of  civil  authorities  and  of  Inter-Church  Conference  approved. 
Resolved,  3.  That  this  Assembly  rejoices  in  the  commendable  action  of 

the  President,  of  Congress,  and  of  judges,  Federal  and  State,  who  strive 
to  execute  the  best  existing  laws,  and  to  secure  the  best  conditions. 

Resolved,  4.  That  the  Appeal  of  the  Inter-Church  Conference  is 
approved  and  commended. — 1905,  p.  76. 

5.  Campaign  of  education  approved.    Previous  deliverances  reaffirmed. 

Resolved,  1.  That  this  General  Assembly  rejoices  in  the  greatly  awak- 
ened interest  on  the  part  of  the  Churches  and  the  public  in  the  important 
subject  of  Marriage  and  Divorce,  and  heartily  approves  of  the  campaign 
of  education  for  the  influencing  of  public  opinion  proposed  by  the  Inter- 
Church  Conference  on  Federation,  as  the  most  effectual  way  to  meet  and 
overcome  the  divorce  evil,  to  guard  the  sanctity  of  the  marriage  relation, 
to  preserve  the  family,  and  to  secure  the  highest  welfare  of  the  State. 

Resolved,  2.  That  this  Geueral  Assembly  hereby  reaffirms  the  deliver- 
ances upon  Divorce,  and  Remarriage  after  Divorce,  adopted  by  previous 
General  Assemblies. — 1906,  p.  229. 

6.  Cooperation  urged  as  to  Divorce  laws. 

1.  The  General  Assembly  again  enjoins  all  ministers  under  its  care 
and  authority  to  refuse  to  perform  the  marriage  ceremony  in  the  cases  of 
divorced  persons,  except  as  such  persons  have  been  divorced  upon  grounds 
and  for  causes  recognized  as  Scriptural  in  the  Standards  of  our  Church. 

2.  The  appeal  and  address  affixed  to  the  Report  of  this  Special  Com- 
mittee on  Divorce  and  Marriage  is  hereby  endorsed  by  this  General 
Assembly,  and  commended  to  the  consideration  of  all  our  ministers  and 
congregations.  The  Stated  Clerk  is  instructed  to  issue  it  in  such  form 
and  to  such  extent  as  may  seem  desirable  and  expedient,  and  it  is 
requested  that  it  be  read  by  pastors  from  their  pulpits  on  some  appro- 
priate Sabbath. 

3.  The  Stated  Clerk  is  hereby  instructed  to  call  the  special  attention  of 
Presbyteries  to  the  action  of  the  General  Assembly  regarding  the  mar- 
riage of  divorced  persons,  and  to  request  the  Presbyteries  to  exercise  such 
needful  oversight  and  discipline  as  may  be  required  to  secure  the  enforce- 
ment of  existing  laws  and  obedience  to  the  injunctions  of  the  General 
Assembly. 

4.  The  Committee  on  Marriage  and  Divorce  is  hereby  continued,  and 
instructed  to  cooperate  with  the  representatives  of  other  Churches  in 
endeavoring  to  obtain  such  ecclesiastical  unity,  such  compliance  with  the 
laws  now  in  force,  and  such  State  or  National  legislation,  as  may  shield 
both  Church  and  State  from  existing  and  impending  perils. — 1904,  p.  75. 

7.  Rules  as  to  remarriage  of  divorced  persons, 
a.  Scriptural  causes  only  to  be  recognized. 

Resolved,  3.  That  this  General  Assembly  hereby  enjoins  all  ministers 
under  its  care  and  authority  to  refuse  to  perform  the  marriage  ceremony 
in    the    cases   of  divorced    persons,    except   as   such    persons  have  been 


956  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

divorced  upon  grounds  and  for  causes  recognized  as  Scriptural  in  the 
Standards  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America. — 
1903,  pp.  89,  140. 

b-  Rules  of  other  denominations  to  be  given  due  weight. 

5.  That,  recognizing  the  comity  'which  should  exist  between  Churches 
represented  in  the  Inter-Church  Conference,  acknowledging,  as  they  do, 
the  law  of  Christ  alone  as  supreme,  we  advise  each  minister  under  the 
authority  of  this  Assembly  to  refuse  to  unite  in  marriage  any  member  of 
any  such  Church  whose  marriage  is  known  to  such  minister  to  be  prohib- 
ited bv  the  laws  of  the  Church  in  which  such  person  holds  membership, 
unless  such  minister  believes  that  in  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  a  given 
case  his  refusal  would  do  injustice  to  an  innocent  person  who  has  been 
divorced  for  Scriptural  reasons. — 1904,  p.  75. 

c  Only  innocent  parties  after  lapse  of  one  year  to  be  remarried. 

Resolved,  1.  That  this  Assembly  repeats  the  action  taken  last  year  at 
Buffalo,  and  enjoins  its  Presbyteries,  its  ministers,  elders,  and  members,  to 
adhere  strictly  to  our  Standards  regarding  marriage,  divorce,  and  remar- 
riage. 

Resolved,  2.  That  we  approve  the  action  of  the  Inter-Church  Confer- 
ence, and  recommend  "that  ministers  should  refuse  to  marry  divorced 
persons,  except  the  innocent  party  in  a  case  where  the  divorce  has  been 
granted  on  Scriptural  grounds,  nor  then  until  assured  that  a  period  of  one 
year  has  elapsed  from  the  date  of  the  decision  allowing  the  divorce." — 
1905,  p.  76. 


CHAPTER   XXV. 

OF  THE  CHURCH. 

Sec.  vi,  Chap,  xxv  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  is  changed  so  as  to  read : 

"  VI.    The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the  only  head  of  the  Church,  and  the 

claim  of  any  man  to  be  the  vicar  of  Christ  and  the  head  of  the  Church,  is 

unscriptural,  without  warrant  in  fact,  and  is  a  usurpation  dishonoring  to 

the  Lord  Jesus  Christ."— 1903,  p.  126. 

[Note. — See  for  previous  form  of  this  Section,  this  Digest,  p.  101.] 


CHAPTER   XXVII. 

OF  THE  SACRAMENTS. 

SECTION  IV. 


Ruling  Elders  cannot  administer  the  sacraments. 
Overture  No.  243,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Winnebago,  asking  that 
Ruling  Elders  be  authorized  to  administer  the  sacraments  when  necessary. 
It  is  recommended  that  the  request  be  not  granted. — 1906,  p.  196. 


THE    CONFESSION    OF    FAITH.  957 

CHAPTER   XXVIII. 
OF  BAPTISM. 

SECTION   V. 
[Note. — See  Deliverance,  under  Chap,  xi,  Sec.  ii,  p.  949.] 


CHAPTER   XXIX. 
OF  THE  LORD'S  SUPPER. 


[Note. — See  for  unanimous  Deliverance  upon  the  personal  institution 
of  the  Supper  by  our  Lord,  this  Digest,  p.  947.] 


CHAPTER   XXXI. 

OF  SYNODS  AND    COUNCILS. 

SECTION   II. 

1.  Determinations  of  the  higher  judicatories  to  be  received  with 

reverence. 

Synod  of  New  Mexico,  Exception  to  records.  That  in  the  judgment 
of  your  Committee,  if  it  is  not  disrespectful,  it  surely  is  not  wise  nor  for 
the  edification  of  the  Church  for  any  judicatory  of  the  Church  to  spread 
upon  its  Minutes  imputations  of  unfair  and  unjust  dealings  on  the  part 
of  a  superior  judicatory,  as  appears  on  pages  40  and  41  of  the  Minutes 
of  this  Synod,  with  respect  to  the  actions  of  this  General  Assembly. — 
1900,  p.  156. 

SECTION  IV. 

1.  Synods  are  to  handle  or  conclude  nothing  but  that  which  is 

ecclesiastical. 

The  Records  of  the  Synod  of  Indian  Territory  were  approved  with  the 
following  exceptions: 

1.  That  the  Stated  Clerk  was  authorized  to  commission  delegates  to  the 
American  Anti-Saloon  League. 

2.  That  the  Synod  pledged  affiliation  with  the  Oklahoma  Anti-Saloon 
League. 

For  the  reasou  that  it  is  not  our  custom  to  appoint  delegates  except  to 
ecclesiastical  bodies,  or  to  have  affiliation  with  non-ecclesiastical  bodies. 

In  taking  this  action  the  Assemtly  intends  no  reflection  upon  the  Synod. 

The  Records  of  the  Synod  of  New  Mexico  were  approved  with  the 
following  exception  : 

That  the  Synod  elected  delegates  to  a  convention  having  no  ecclesias- 
tical status  or  any  connection  with  any  church. 


958  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

THE  NEW  CHAPTERS. 

THE  PREAMBLE. 

"JYIiereas,  It  is  desirable  to  express  more  fully  the  doctrine  of  the 
Church  concerning  the  Holy  Spirit,  Missions,  and  the  Love  of  God  for  all 
men,  the  following  chapters  are  added  to  the  Confession  of  Faith.'' — 
1903,  p.  126. 


CHAPTER   XXXIV. 
OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRLT. 


"  I.  The  Holy  Spirit,  the  third  person  in  the  Trinity,  proceeding  from 
the  Father  and  the  Son,  of  the  same  substance  and  equal  in  power  and 
glory,  is,  together  with  the  Father  and  the  Son,  to  be  believed  in,  loved, 
obeyed,  and  worshiped  throughout  all  ages. 

"  II.  He  is  the  Lord  and  Giver  of  life,  everywhere  present  in  nature, 
and  is  the  source  of  all  good  thoughts,  pure  desires,  and  holy  counsels  in 
meu.  By  Him  the  Prophets  were  moved  to  speak  the  Word  of  God,  and 
all  writers  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  inspired  to  record  infallibly  the  mind 
and  will  of  God.  The  dispensation  of  the  Gospel  is  especially  committed 
to  Him.  He  prepares  the  way  for  it,  accompanies  it  with  His  persuasive 
power,  and  urges  its  message  upon  the  reason  and  conscience  of  men,  so 
that  they  who  reject  its  merciful  offer  are  not  only  without  excuse,  but 
are  also  guilty  of  resisting  the  Holy  Spirit. 

"III.  The  Holy  Spirit,  whom  the  Father  is  ever  willing  to  give  to  all 
who  ask  Him,  is  the  only  efficient  agent  in  the  application  of  redemption. 
He  convicts  men  of  sin,  moves  them  to  repentance,  regenerates  them  by 
His  grace,  and  persuades  and  enables  them  to  embrace  Jesus  Christ  by 
faith.  He  unites  all  believers  to  Christ,  dwells  in  them  as  their  Com- 
forter and  Sanctifier,  gives  to  them  the  spirit  of  Adoption  and  Prayer, 
and  performs  all  those  gracious  offices  by  which  they  are  sanctified  and 
sealed  unto  the  day  of  redemption. 

"  IV.  By  the  indwelling  of  the  Holy  Spirit  all  believers  being  vitally 
united  to  Christ,  who  is  the  Head,  are  thus  united  one  to  another  in  the 
Church,  which  is  His  body.  He  calls  and  anoiuts  ministers  for  their  holy 
office,  qualifies  all  other  officers  in  the  Church  for  their  special  work,  and 
imparts  various  gifts  and  graces  to  its  members.  He  gives  efficacy  to  the 
Word  and  to  the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel.  By  Him  the  Church  will  be 
preserved,  increased  until  it  shall  cover  the  earth,  purified,  and  at  last 
made  perfectly  holy  in  the  presence  of  God." — 1903,  p.  126. 


THE    CONFESSION    OF    FAITH.  959 

CHAPTER   XXXV. 

OF  THE  LOVE  OF  GOD  AND  MISSIONS. 

"  I.  God,  in  infinite  and  perfect  love,  having  provided  in  the  covenant 
of  grace,  through  the  mediation  and  sacrifice  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  a 
way  of  life  and  salvation,  sufficient  for  and  adapted  to  the  whole  lost  race 
of  man,  doth  freely  offer  this  salvation  to  all  men  in  the  Gospel. 

"  II.  In  the  Gospel  God  declares  his  love  for  the  world  and  His  desire 
that  all  men  should  he  saved,  reveals  fully  and  clearly  the  only  way  of 
salvation  ;  promises  eternal  life  to  all  who  truly  repent  and  helieve  in 
Christ ;  invites  and  commands  all  to  embrace  the  offered  mercy ;  and 
by  His  Spirit  accompanying  the  Word  pleads  with  men  to  accept  His 
gracious  invitation. 

"  III.  It  is  the  duty  and  privilege  of  every  one  who  hears  the  Gospel 
immediately  to  accept  its  merciful  provisions  ;  and  they  who  continue  in 
impenitence  and  unbelief  incur  aggravated  guilt  and  perish  by  their  own 
fault. 

"  IV.  Since  there  is  no  other  way  of  salvation  than  that  revealed  in 
the  Gospel,  and  since  in  the  divinely  established  and  ordinary  method  of 
grace  faith  cometh  by  hearing  the  Word  of  God,  Christ  hath  commissioned 
His  Church  to  go  into  all  the  world  and  to  make  disciples  of  all  nations. 
All  believers  are,  therefore,  under  obligation  to  sustain  the  ordinances  of 
religion  where  they  are  already  established,  and  to  contribute  by  their 
prayers,  gifts,  and  personal  efforts  to  the  extension  of  the  Kingdom  of 
Christ  throughout  the  whole  earth." — 1903,  p.  127. 

DECLARA  TOR  Y  ST  A  TE3IENT 

1.  Order  as  to  form  and  place. 

That  the  Standing  Committee  on  Editions  of  the  Confession  be  directed 
....  to  print  the  Preamble  and  the  two  Sections  of  the  Declaratory 
Statement  as  one  document,  after  the  new  Chaps,  xxxiv  and  xxxv,  at  the 
end  of  the  Confession  of  Faith. — 1903,  p.  125. 

2.  Text. 

While  the  ordination  vow  of  ministers,  ruling  elders,  and  deacons,  as  set 
forth  in  the  Form  of  Government,  requires  the  reception  and  adoption 
of  the  Confession  of  Faith  only  as  containing  the  System  of  Doctrine 
taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  nevertheless,  seeing  that  the  desire  has  been 
formally  expressed  for  a  disavowal  by  the  Church  of  certain  inferences 
drawn  from  statements  in  the  Confession  of  Faith,  and  also  for  a  declara- 
tion of  certain  aspects  of  revealed  truth  which  appear  at  the  present  time 
to  call  for  more  explicit  statement,  therefore  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America  does  authoritatively  declare  as  follows  : 

First,  With  reference  to  Chap,  iii  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  :   That  con- 


960  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

cemiug  those  who  are  saved  in  Christ,  the  doctrine  of  God's  eternal  decree 
is  held  in  harmony  with  the  doctrine  of  His  love  to  all  mankind,  His  gift  of 
His  Son  to  be  the  propitiation  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world,  and  His  readi- 
ness to  bestow  His  saving  grace  on  all  who  seek  it.  That  concerning  those 
who  perish,  the  doctrine  of  God's  eternal  decree  is  held  in  harmony  with 
the  doctrine  that  God  desires  not  the  death  of  any  sinner,  but  has  pro- 
vided in  Christ  a  salvation  sufficient  for  all,  adapted  to  all,  and  freely 
offered  in  the  Gospel  to  all ;  that  men  are  fully  responsible  for  their  treat- 
ment of  God's  gracious  offer ;  that  His  decree  hinders  no  man  from  accept- 
ing that  offer  ;  and  that  no  man  is  condemned  except  on  the  ground  of 
his  sin. 

Second,  With  reference  to  Chap,  x,  Sec.  iii  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  : 
That  it  is  not  to  be  regarded  as  teaching  that  any  who  die  in  infancy  are 
lost.  We  believe  that  all  dying  in  infancy  are  included  in  the  election 
of  grace,  and  are  regenerated  and  saved  by  Christ  through  the  Spirit, 
who  works  when  and  where  and  how  He  pleases. — 1903,  pp.  124,  125. 


FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT,  CHAP.  I.  961 


PART  III. 

THE   FORM   OF   GOVERNMENT. 

CHAPTER  I. 

PRELIMINARY  PRINCIPLES. 

SECTION  I. 

1.  Deliverance  as  to  the  true  title  of  the  Church. 

1.  Synod  of  Wisconsin,  exception  to  Records.  On  p.  9,  Articles  of 
Incorporation,  the  title  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  should  read :  "  The 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America."  The  same  error 
in  the  use  of  the  preposition  "of"  occurs  also  in  the  certificate  of  incor- 
poration.— 1904,  p.  221. 


CHAPTER    II. 

OF  THE  CHURCH. 

SECTION  IV. 


1.  Appointment  of  Committee  on  Church  Temporalities. 

Overtures  received  from  32  Presbyteries  asking  "  that  some  proper  in- 
quiry be  made  into  the  general  prevalent  methods  of  managing  the  tem- 
poral affairs  of  our  churches  by  means  of  Boards  of  Trustees,  and  that 
if  these  methods  are  found  to  be  defective  or  injurious  that  some  means 
shall  be  taken  to  amend  them."  Referred  to  a  Sub-Committee  of  two 
ministers  and  three  Elders  to  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly. — 1892, 
pp.  52,  85,  214. 

[Note. — The  results  secured  by  the  work  of  the  Committee  on  Church  Temporal- 
ities appear  in  (1)  The  Compilation  of  Laws  referred  to  below,  and  (2)  Section  vii, 
Chapter  ix,  Form  of  Government,  for  which  see  this  Supplement,  p.  963.] 

2.  Laws  relating  to  Religious  Corporations  compiled  and  published. 

a.  The  Committee  on  Church  Temporalities  reported  in  1893  that  it 
was  "impressed  by  the  fact  that  there  never  had  been  any  satisfactory 
collation  of  the  various  State  laws  bearing  on  the  matter  referred  to  them. 
The  Committee  was,  therefore,  empowered  to  have  made  a  satisfactory  col- 
lation and  digest  of  the  laws  of  the  various  States  connected  with  the 
management  of  church  property." — 1893,  p.  90. 

b.  The  compilation  of  the  laws  of  all  the  States  and  Territories,  bear- 
ing upon  the  subject,  which  the  Committee  was  directed  to  have  prepared, 

61 


962  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

has  now  been  completed  by  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Roberts,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  and 
published  by  the  Board  of  Publication  in  accordance  with  the  directions 
of  the  General  Assembly  of  1894,  under  the  title,  "Laws  Relating  to 
Religious  Corporations."  The  Committee  takes  pleasure  in  saying  that 
this  volume  has  been  prepared  with  remarkable  care  and  accuracy,  and 
contains  an  Index,  Syllabus  of  Laws,  List  of  Collections  of  Statutes,  and 
a  most  valuable  Introduction  discussing  briefly  some  of  the  legal  aspects 
of  the  subject  referred  to  the  Committee,  together  constituting  a  standard 
book  of  reference  for  our  judicatories  and  churches. — 1896,  p.  183. 

3.  To  whom  Trustees  may  resign. 

As  to  Trustees,  they  may  resign  either  to  the  Board  of  Trustees  or  to 
the  congregation  itself,  in  accordance  with  custom  or  the  civil  law  apply- 
ing to  the  corporation  in  any  particular  State. — 1901,  p.  63. 


CHAPTER  IX. 
OF  THE  CHURCH  SESSION. 


SECTION  III. 

1.  Who  may  moderate  Sessions  of  vacant  churches. 

Overture  No.  47,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Albany,  inquiring  whether  a 
Syuodical  Superintendent,  in  the  exercise  of  his  office  toward  the  feeble 
churches,  has  the  right,  by  virtue  of  his  appointment  by  Synod,  to  act  as 
Moderator  in  the  meetings  of  Sessions  of  other  Presbyteries  than  that  to 
which  he  belongs,  but  within  the  bounds  of  the  appointing  Synod  ;  also 
asking  the  Assembly  to  interpret  the  privileges  and  prerogatives  of  a 
Syuodical  Superintendent.  Your  Committee  recommend  the  following 
reply:  (1)  The  Synodical  Superintendent  has  no  right,  ex  officio,  to  act 
as  Moderator  of  the  Sessions  of  vacant  churches  (see  Form  of  Govern- 
ment, Chapter  ix,  Section  4);  (2)  that  the  Moderator  of  a  vacant  church 
should  be  of  the  same  Presbytery  as  the  church  (see  Digest,  p.  163);  (3) 
that  when  the  Session  of  a  vacant  church  meets  and  no  Moderator  from 
the  same  Presbytery  is  present  and  the  Synodical  Superintendent  is 
present,  a  ruling  elder  should  ordinarily  preside  ;  (4)  that  the  Synodical 
Superintendent  in  this  matter  occupies  the  same  position  as  any  other 
minister. — 1901,  p.  65. 

SECTION  VI. 

1.  Persons  encouraging  the  liquor  traffic  subject  to  discipline. 

Overtures  Nos.  185  to  196,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Buffalo  and  others, 
asking  for  a  clear  and  specific  deliverance  upon  the  duty  of  the  Session 
of  a  church  when,  in  spite  of  timely  and  official  admonition  by  a  Session, 
members  of  said  church  persist  in  renting  property  for,  signing  petitions, 
endorsing  bonds,  and  in  other  ways  encouraging  the  traffic  in  intoxicating 
liquors.  The  Committee  unanimously  recommend  that  persons  continuing 
in  the  renting  of  property,  signing  petitions,  and  endorsing  bonds  for  the 
encouragement  of  the  liquor  traffic  are  subject  to  discipline,  if  such  con- 
duct is  persisted  in  after  timely  admonition. — 1906,  p.  194. 


FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT,  CHAP.  IX.  963 

2.  Amendment  as  to  power  over  Sabbath-schools,  Societies,  etc. 

Chapter  ix,  Section  vi,  amended  by  the  insertion  after  the  words  "spir- 
itual interests  of  the  congregation  "  of  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

To  supervise  the  Sabbath-school  and  the  various  societies  or  agencies  of 
the  congregation. — 1902,  p.  163. 

[See  also  Form  of  Gov.,  Chap,  xxiii,  this  Supplement.] 

SECTION   VII. 

1.  Amendment  of  Chapter  ix  by  insertion  of  a  new  Section  to  be  known 

as  Section  vii. 

VII.  Subject  to  the  provisions  of  the  Directory  for  Worship,  the 
Session  shall  have  and  exercise  exclusive  authority  over  the  worship  of  the 
congregation,  including  the  musical  service ;  and  shall  determine  the 
times  and  places  of  preaching  the  Word  and  all  other  religious  services. 
They  shall  also  have  exclusive  authority  over  the  uses  to  which  the  church 
buildings  may  be  put,  but  may  temporarily  delegate  the  determination  of 
such  uses  to  the  body  having  management  of  the  temporal  affairs  of  the 
church,  subject  to  the  superior  authority  and  direction  of  the  Session. — 

1898,  p.  97. 

[Note. — For  action  as  to  Trustees  and  Laws  for  Keligious  Corporations,  see  under 
Chapter  ii,  p.  961.] 

SECTION  VIII. 

1.  Opening  and  closing  prayer  not  mandatory. 

Overture  No.  12,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Cincinnati,  asks  that  the 
opening  and  closing  of  meetings  of  Church  Sessions  with  prayer  be  made 
mandatory.      The  Assembly  answered  the  Overture  in  the  negative. — 

1899,  p.  108. 

SECTION  X. 

Alterations  of  the  Annual  Reports  and  of  the  Narrative. 

1.  Appointment  of  a  Special  Committee  on  the  Reports,  etc. 

1.  It  was  ordered,  That  a  Committee  of  five  ministers  and  two  elders 
be  appointed  to  consider  the  advisability  of  refraining  the  Statistical 
Tables  in  the  Minutes. — 1905,  p.  182. 

2.  Wliereas,  The  reports  submitted  to  the  Committee  on  Narrative  are 
incomplete  and  seem  to  show  serious  defects  in  the  method  of  submitting 
Sessional  reports  to  Presbytery!  and  Presbyterial  reports  to  the  Assembly, 
we  recommend  that  the  Assembly  appoint  a  Committee  to  consult  and  co- 
operate with  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  in  investigating 
the  whole  matter  of  the  Narrative  of  the  State  of  Religion,  and  that  the 
Committee  present  its  findings  and  recommendations  to  the  Assembly  of 
1906.— 1905,  p.  212. 


964  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

2.  Directions  as  to  the  Statistics  of  Membership. 

In  view  of  the  conclusions  reached  by  the  Committee  it  is  recommended 
that  the  Assembly  adopt  the  following  resolutions  with  reference  to  (1) 
the  statistics  of  membership  and  (2)  the  method  of  reporting  contribu- 
tions to  the  funds : 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  columns  in  the  Statistical  Reports  of  the 
Churches  and  Presbyteries  for  membership  be  changed  as  recommended 
by  the  Committee  on  Statistical  Tables  and  the  Narrative. 

Resolved,  2.  That  a  column  to  be  entitled  "  Temperance  "  be  inserted 
in  the  Statistical  Reports  of  the  Presbyteries  to  the  General  Assembly, 
and  that  there  be  only  one  column  headed  "  Home  Missions." 

Resolved,  3.  That  the  following  explanation  of  the  statistics  of  mem- 
bership, to  be  prefixed  to  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Churches  to  Presby- 
tery, be  and  is  hereby  adopted,  viz.: 

The  statistics  of  membership  are  to  be  reported  as  follows  : 

1.  Additions. — In  the  additions  to  church  membership,  distinguish 
between  those  by  Examination,  those  by  Certificate,  and  those  by  Restora- 
tion. The  column  headed  "Restored"  is  to  include  all  those  who  have 
been  reinstated,  whether  from  the  Suspended  Roll  or  on  restoration  after 
full  judicial  process. 

2.  Losses. — In  the  losses,  distinguish  between  those  dismissed,  those 
placed  upon  the  Suspended  Roll,  and  those  deceased.  The  column 
headed  "  Dismissed,  etc.,"  is  to  include  the  members  dismissed  to  other 
churches,  also  those  erased  from  the  roll  under  Section  52,  Book  of  Dis- 
cipline, and  also  those  excommunicated.  The  column  headed  "Suspended 
Roll  "  is  to  include  the  number  of  non-resident  members  whose  cases  were 
acted  upon  during  the  year  by  the  Session  under  Sections  49  and  50, 
Book  of  Discipline;  also  those  suspended  after  fall  judicial  process. 

3.  Baptisms. — In  the  baptisms,  distinguish  between  the  persons  bap- 
tized upon  confession  and  those  baptized  as  infants. 

4.  Balancing  of  Returns. — Compare  your  report  of  communicants 
with  that  of  the  previous  year  and  adjust  the  return  so  that  it  will  bal- 
ance. For  example :  Total  members  previous  year,  205.  Additions, 
"Examination"  22,  "  Certificate"  16,  "  Restored  "  5,  total  43.  Losses, 
"Dismissed,"  etc.,  12,  "Suspended  Roll"  18,  "Deceased"  6,  total  36. 
Gain,  7.     Net  total  this  year,  212. 

5.  Sabbath-school  Membership. — To  include  officers,  teachers,  and  schol- 
ars in  all  Sabbath-schools  connected  with  the  congregation,  not  including 
the  "Cradle  Roll"  nor  the  "Home  Department."— 1906,  pp.  218,  219. 

3.  Directions  as  to  the  columns  for  Contributions. 

Resolved,  4.  That  the  following  explanation  of  the  method  of  filling 
the  columns  for  funds  contributed,  to  be  prefixed  to  the  Annual  Report 
of  the  Churches  to  Presbytery,  be  adopted,  viz.: 

Funds. — The  columns  for  the  Funds  Contributed  are  to  be  filled  as 
follows  : 

1.  Home  Missions. — To  include  all  moneys  paid  to  the  Board,  all 
moneys  paid  for  Presbyterial  and  Synodical  Home  Missions  and  Susten- 
tation,  also  all  moneys  paid  to  any  general  Home  Mission  object ;  includ- 
ing contributions  of  societies,  value  of  boxes,  etc. 

2.  Foreign  Missions. — To  include  all  moneys  paid  for  the  spread  of  the 
Gospel  in  foreign  fields,  whether  given  to  the    Board  or  other  agencies ; 


FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT,  CHAP.  IX.  965 

including  contributions  of  societies,  etc.,  and  gifts  to  institutions  connected 
with  the  board. 

3.  Education. — To  include  all  moneys  paid  for  the  education  of  can- 
didates for  the  ministry,  whether  to  the  Board  or  other  agencies,  and  also 
gifts  to  Theological  Seminaries. 

4.  Sabbath-school  Work. — To  include  all  moneys  paid  to  the  Board  of 
Publication  and  Sabbath-school  Work  for  its  missionary  operations,  and 
to  other  Sabbath-school  organizations.  The  contributions  for  the  support 
of  the  Home  Sabbath-school  are  to  be  placed  in  the  column  headed 
"  Congregational." 

5.  Church  Erection.— To  include  all  moneys  paid  for  church  erection 
outside  of  the  congregation,  whether  through  the  Board  or  otherwise. 

6.  Relief  Fund. — To  include  all  moneys  paid  for  the  support  of  dis- 
abled ministers  and  missionaries,  and  in  aid  of  their  families,  whether 
to  the  Board  or  otherwise  ;  including  contributions  of  societies,  etc. 

7.  Freedmen. — To  include  all  moneys  paid  for  the  evangelization  and 
education  of  Freedmen,  whether  through  the  Board  or  otherwise ;  in- 
cluding contributions  of  societies,  etc.,  and  gifts  to  institutions  connected 
with  the  Board. 

8.  Colleges. — To  include  all  moneys  paid  to  Colleges,  Academies,  and 
Schools,  whether  to  the  Board  or  otherwise.  Contributions  to  the  institu- 
tions connected  with  Foreign  Missions  and  Freedmen  are  to  be  placed 
under  those  heads. 

9.  General  Assembly,  etc. — To  include  all  moneys  given  for  ecclesiasti- 
cal expenses,  whether  for  Presbytery,  Synod,  or  General  Assembly.  Give 
both  dollars  and  cents  in  this  column. 

10.  Congregational. — To  include  all  moneys  collected  in  or  by  the  con- 
gregation for  expenses — the  salary  of  the  minister,  the  support  of  the 
church  Sabbath-schools,  the  relief  of  the  poor,  building  and  repairing 
edifices,  the  liquidation  of  debts,  and  other  purposes.  Moneys  received 
from  any  other  church  or  Board  for  the  salary  of  the  minister  or  other 
expenses  should  not  be  included. 

11.  Temperance. — To  include  all  moneys  given  to  the  Permanent  Com- 
mittee on  Temperance  or  to  other  Temperance  agencies. 

12.  Bible  Society. — To  include  all  moneys  paid  to  the  American  Bible 
Society  or  to  other  Bible  agencies. 

13.  Miscellaneous. — To  include  all  moneys  paid  to  Tract  Societies, 
Christian  Endeavor,  Young  Men's  Christian  Associations,  Hospitals,  and 
general  benevolence. 

Individual  Gifts. — If  the  donors  do  not  object,  the  direct  gifts  of 
individuals  to  any  of  the  Boards  or  to  the  causes  they  represent,  should 
be  reported  with  other  gifts  under  the  proper  head.  Individual  gifts  for 
religious  and  charitable  causes  not  included  in  the  regular  schedule  should 
be  placed  under  the  head  "  Miscellaneous." — 1906,  pp.  219,  220. 


4.  Authority  for  printing  Directions,  etc. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  directed  and  authorized,  so  far  as 
necessary,  to  print  the  above  explanations  as  to  Statistics  of  Membership 
and  Funds  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Assembly,  and  upon  the  Annual  Re- 
ports of  Churches  to  Presbyteries  and  of  Presbyteries  to  the  General 
Assembly.— 1906,  p.  223. 


966  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

5.  Change  of  Name  of  the  Narrative. 

1.  That  the  Narrative  of  the  State  of  Religion  be  hereafter  known  as 
the  Narrative  of  Christian  Life  and  Work. — 1906,  p.  222. 

6.  Text  of  the  Narrative. 

[Note. — The  text  of  the  Narrative  as  modified  and  approved  by  the 
General  Assembly  of  1906  differs  in  some  details  only  from  the  text  which 
appears  on  page  213  of  this  Digest.  Copies  of  the  amended  Narrative 
can  be  had  from  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assembly  on  application.  Its 
text  appears  in  the  Minutes  for  1906,  pp.  223-225.] 


CHAPTER    X. 
OF  THE  PRESBYTERY. 


SECTION    II. 
1.  Amendments  as  to  Territorial  Limits  of  Presbyteries. 
Amended  by  adding  to  it  the  following  words  : 

"  But  in  exceptional  cases  a  Presbytery  may  be  organized  within  the 
boundaries  of  existing  Presbyteries,  in  the  interests  of  ministers  and 
churches  speaking  other  than  the  English  language,  or  of  those  of  a  par- 
ticular race  ;  but  in  no  case  without  their  consent ;  and  the  same  rule 
shall  apply  to  Synods."— 1905,  p.  60. 

2.  The  General  Assembly  has  power  to  erect  a  Presbytery  and  to  name 

its  members. 

Overture  No.  54,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Central  Washington,  asking 
whether  the  Presbytery  of  Central  Washington  is  legally  constituted,  and 
whether  the  ministers  who  compose  it  should  have  had  letters  from  the 
Presbyteries  to  which  they  belonged  before  the  erection  of  the  new 
Presbytery  ? 

Your  Committee  recommend,  that  it  be  the  judgment  of  this  Assem- 
bly that  the  Enabling  Act  of  the  Assembly  of  1901  (see  Minutes,  p.  89), 
in  which  the  boundaries  of  the  Presbytery  of  Central  Washington  were 
clearly  defined,  a  Convener  appointed,  and  a  Home  Mission  Committee 
named  to  have  charge  of  the  business  until  the  Presbytery  had  been  con- 
vened, was  the  legal  erection  of  the  Presbytery,  and  that  the  ministers 
within  the  boundary  described  are  members  of  the  Presbytery  by  virtue 
of  the  aforesaid  action  of  the  General  Assembly  (see  Digest,  1898,  p. 
302).— 1902,  p.  123. 

3.  Ministers  named  by  the  General  Assembly  do  not  need  letters  of  dis- 

missal.    All  other  ministers  must  have  letters. 

The  Committee  on  the  Records  of  the  Synod  of  Central  and  Southern 
China  reported  answers  to  certain  questions  propounded  to  the  Assembly 
by  the  Synod,  as  follows  : 


FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT,  CHAP.  X.  907 

The  General  Assembly  answers  the  questions  propounded  by  the 
Synod  of  Central  and  Southern  China,  Minutes  of  Synod  for  1900,  p.  14, 
as  follows : 

Question  1. — When  a  new  Presbytery  is  erected  by  order  of  General 
Assembly,  in  addition  to  the  names  of  ministers  designated  in  the  order 
of  the  Assembly,  what  other  names  may  be  added  to  the  roll  at  the  time 
of  organization?  Answer. — Presbytery  should  first  be  organized  with 
those  designated  by  the  Assembly,  then  any  other  ministers  who  have 
letters  of  dismission  for  the  purpose  may  be  received. 

Question  2. — Should  the  roll  include  all  ministers  residing  within 
the  bounds  of  the  Presbytery  at  the  time  of  its  erection  ?  Answered  in 
first  reply. 

Question  3. — Are  ministers  residing  within  the  bounds  of  a  Presbytery 
at  the  time  of  its  erection  ipso  facto  members  of  the  new  Presbytery,  or 
must  they  first  receive  letters  from  the  Presbyteries  with  which  they  were 
previously  connected  ?  Answer. — They  must  first  receive  letters  of  dis- 
missal. 

Question  4- — If  a  minister  residing  within  the  bounds  of  a  new  Pres- 
bytery at  the  time  of  its  erection  continues  to  labor  within  its  bounds,  but 
is  unwilling  to  connect  himself  with  the  said  Presbytery,  what  action,  if' 
any,  should  be  taken  by  Presbytery  in  regard  to  his  case  ?  Answer. — 
Every  Presbytery  has  oversight  of  the  work  within  its  own  bounds.  If 
a  minister  of  another  Presbytery  refuses  to  connect  himself  with  the  Pres- 
bytery within  whose  bounds  he  labors  the  Presbytery  may  refuse  him 
permission  to  continue  his  labors  within  their  bounds  and  may  complain 
to  the  Presbytery  of  which  he  is  a  member,  in  case  he  continues  his  labors 
without  such  permission. — 1901,  p.  167. 

[Note. — For  the  names  of  Presbyteries  erected  by  the  General 
Assembly,  see  Chapter  xii,  Section  v,  Form  of  Government.] 

SECTION  III. 

2.  Churches  should  be  represented  by  elders  at  adjourned  as  well  as 

regular  meetings. 

Overture  No.  91,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Pueblo,  as  follows  :  Can 
Presbytery,  at  an  adjourned  meeting,  enroll  and  seat  as  a  presbyter  an 
elder  whose  credentials  show  that  he  was  not  elected  or  appointed  to  rep- 
resent his  church  at  the  regular  meeting,  either  as  principal  or  alternate  ? 
Ansiver. — The  adjourned  meeting  is  a  continuation  of  the  stated  meeting. 
The  Session  should  represent  itself  at  the  stated  meeting  ;  but  if  it  have 
failed  to  do  so,  it  then  ought  to  represent  itself  at  the  adjourned  meeting, 
and  its  representative  should  be  enrolled  as  such. — 1905,  p.  208. 

SECTION  IV. 
1.  Grouped  Churches  located  in  two  Presbyteries  must  have  pastors. 

Overture  No.  234,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Pueblo,  asking  the  General 
Assembly  to  answer  the  following  question,  as  to  the  interpretation  of  a 
deliverance  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1874  with  reference  to  grouped 
churches :  Shall  the  decision  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1874,  p.  82, 
concerning  two  churches  in  two  Presbyteries,  united  under  one  pastoral 
charge,  be   interpreted  so  as  to  apply  to  groupings  mutually  made  by 


968  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

the  Presbyteries  or  by  the  Home  Mission  Committees,  in  which  the  min- 
ister is  not  an  installed  pastor  to  any  of  the  churches,  but  a  Stated  Supply 
for  each — i.e.,  must  a  pastoral  relation,  rather  than  a  Stated  Supply  rela- 
tion, be  constituted  before  this  decision  is  operative  ?  The  Committee  is 
unanimously  of  the  opinion,  and  recommends  the  Assembly  to  declare, 
that  the  deliverance  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1874  does  not  apply  to 
congregations  served  by  Stated  Supplies. — 1906,  p.  195. 

SECTION  V. 
1.  Official  declaration  that  a  pulpit  is  vacant  to  be  commended. 

a.  The  Committee  on  the  Records  of  the  Synod  of  New  York  report 
recommending  that  they  be  approved  with  the  exception  of  a  statement 
on  p.  35,  viz.:  That  the  declaring  of  a  pulpit  vacant  is  not  fitting  in  cases 
of  ordinary  dissolution  of  a  pastoral  relation. — 1901,  p.  166. 

b.  Overture  No.  59,  from  the  Synod  of  New  York,  asking  "whether 
the  form  or  ceremony  of  declaring  a  pulpit  vacant  is  a  part  of  a  judicial 
act,  or  is  to  be  observed  in  every  case  of  the  dissolution  of  a  pastoral 
relation." 

The  Committee  recommends  the  following  answer  : 

1.  That  declaring  a  pulpit  vacant  is  not  necessarily  a  part  of  a  judicial 
process. 

2.  The  custom  of  appointing  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  to  declare 
the  pulpit  vacant  upon  the  dissolution  of  a  pastoral  relation  is  to  be  com- 
mended, in  that  it  magnifies  the  sacredness  and  importance  of  the  pastoral 
relation,  but  there  is  no  reason  why  Presbyteries  may  not  exercise  their 
own  judgment  in  each  case,  as  provided  in  Form  of  Government,  Chap. 
x,  Section  viii,  "to  order  whatever  pertains  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the 
churches  under  their  care." — 1902,  p.  123. 

SECTION  VII. 

1.  Action  taken  when  quorum  is  not  present  can  be  ratified  only  by  the 
Presbytery  when  a  quorum  is  present. 

The  Presbytery  of  Bismarck  is  given  an  unconditional  and  unlimited 
authority  to  receive  and  dismiss  members,  presumably  (as  appears  from 
other  statements  in  the  Records)  in  the  absence  of  a  quorum.  The  Assem- 
bly declares  such  a  bestowment  of  power  to  have  been  unwise  and  inexpedi- 
ent, if  not  unconstitutional  (Digest,  1898,  pp.  187,  189,  4).  Further,  the 
proceedings  of  said  Presbytery  under  date  of  October  6,  1896,  when  there 
was  no  quorum,  are  legalized  by  Synod.  The  Assembly  declares 
that  for  a  Synod  to  legalize  the  entire  proceedings  of  a  Presbytery  had 
without  a  quorum  is  in  direct  conflict  with  the  Constitutional  requirement 
of  a  quorum,  and  that  the  proper  body  to  ratify  and  confirm  any  irregular 
and  informal  proceedings  of  a  Presbytery  when  no  quorum  was  present, 
is  the  Presbytery  itself,  at  a  subsequent  meeting  when  there  was  a  quorum 
(Digest,  1898,  pp.  239,  240,  2  and  3).  The  ^Presbytery  of  Bismarck  is 
therefore  directed  at  its  next  regular  meeting  to  review  the  proceedings  of 
its  meeting  of  October  6,  1896,  and  to  adopt  or  reject  the  same  in  whole 
or  in  part,  as  they  may  see  fit.  And  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General 
Assembly  is  requested  to  notify  the  clerk  of  said  Presbytery  accordingly, 
and  the  Synod  to  take  note  hereof  (Synod  of  1896,  North  Dakota). — 
1898,  p.  139. 


FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT,  CHAP.  X.  969 

2.  A  Presbytery  with  a  minimum  of  ministers  either  to  be  enlarged  by 
Synod  or  merged  into  other  Presbyteries. 

The  Records  show  that  authority  was  conferred  upon  the  Stated  Clerk 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Bismarck,  iu  the  absence  of  a  quorum,  to  receive 
aud  to  dismiss  members,  wbich  tbe  Assembly  herewith  directs  the  Synod 
to  recall  as  an  unconstitutional  conferment  of  power.  And,  in  view  of 
the  fact  that  the  Presbytery  had  by  the  last  Statistical  Report  only  the 
minimum  of  ministers  essential  to  its  existence,  and  in  view  of  the  further 
facts  disclosed  by  the  Synod's  Minutes,  viz.,  that  this  Presbytery  has 
chronic  difficulty  in  securing  a  quorum,  and  has  applied  in  vain  to  Synod 
for  an  enlargement  of  its  bounds,  therefore  the  Synod  is  hereby  directed  t  > 
so  readjust  the  bounds  of  this  Presbytery  as  that  it  shall  be  either  en- 
larged in  membership  or  merged  into  other  Presbyteries  (Synod  of  North 
Dakota).— 1898,  p.  139. 

SECTION  VIII. 
1.  Leave  given  to  erase  name  of  missing  minister. 

Overture  No.  236,  from  the  Presbytery  of  New  Albany,  asking  leave 
to  erase  the  name  of  a  missing  minister  from  its  Roll.  "  Whereas  the 
whereabouts  of  the  Rev.  George  V.  Dickey,  a  member  of  this  Presbytery, 
have  been  unknown  to  us  for  several  years,  and  whereas  we  are  unable  to 
get  into  communication  with  him,  we  respectfully  overture  the  Assembly, 
asking  leave  to  erase  his  name  from  our  Roll,  without  prejudice  to  his 
ministerial  standing."  It  is  recommended  that  the  Overture  be  answered 
in  the  affirmative,  and  that  the  name  above  given  be  erased  from  the 
Roll.— 1906,  p.  195. 

2.  Minister  transferred  by  the  General  Assembly  from  one  Presbytery 

to  another. 

A  communication  from  the  Rev.  H.  R.  Marsh,  M.  D.,  a  commissioner 
to  this  Genera]  Assembly  from  the  Presbytery  of  Yukon,  has  been  re- 
ferred to  us.  In  this  communication,  for  reasons  therein  stated,  Dr. 
Marsh  requests  that  he  be  transferred,  by  action  of  the  General  Assembly, 
from  the  Presbytery  of  Yukon  to  the  Presbytery  of  Bloomington.  We 
recommend  that  this  request  be  granted,  and  the  necessary  instructions  to 
make  this  effective  be  given  to  the  Presbyteries  involved.  Adopted. — 1 905, 
p.  208. 

3.  Presbytery  cannot  act  by  Commission  in  other  than  Judicial  business. 

Overture  No.  58,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Buffalo,  asking  whether  Pres- 
bytery has  the  power  to  act  by  Commission  in  other  than  Judicial  busi- 
ness. The  Committee  recommends  that  it  be  answered  in  the  negative. — 
1904,  p.  177. 

SECTION  IX. 

I.   Rules  for  the  Statistical  Reports. 

1.  No  designation  after  names  of  ministers  without  charge. 

Overture  No.  65,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Syracuse,  is  as  follows : 
"  The  Presbytery  of  Syracuse  hereby  respectfully  overtures  the  General 
Assembly  to  amend  the  rules  for  the  preparation  of  the  Statistical  Report, 


970  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

so  that  Rule  4  shall  read  :  '  Place  after  the  name  of  every  minister  an 
abbreviation  denoting  his  occupation,  except  that  the  names  of  ministers 
without  charge  shall  be  inserted  without  any  designation  whatever.'  "  It 
is  recommended  that  Rule  4  be  so  changed. — 1905,  p.  82. 

2.  H.  M.  to  be  inserted  after  names  of  Home  Missionaries. 

Overture  No.  51,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Pendleton,  on  Abbreviations 
after  Ministers'  Names  in  the  Statistical  Reports  of  Presbyteries,  proposes 
that  the  initials  H.M.  be  used  for  a  minister  in  charge  of  a  Home  Mission 
church,  but  not  installed  as  pastor,  and  H.M. P.  for  a  minister  installed  as 
pastor  of  a  Home  Mission  church.  We  recommend  that  the  former  part 
of  the  proposal  be  approved,  the  initials  H.M.  seeming  appropriate,  after 
the  analogy  of  the  initials  F.M.  forforeign  missionaries,  but  that  the  latter 
part  be  not  approved,  there  appearing  no  adequate  reason  for  distinguish- 
ing between  pastors  of  home  mission  churches  and  pastors  of  other 
churches.— 1905,  p.  82. 

3.  All  ecclesiastical  changes  to  be  immediately  reported. 

Resolved,  1.  That  all  ecclesiastical  changes  shall  be  reported  immedi- 
ately upon  their  occurrence,  by  the  Stated  Clerk  of  Presbytery,  to  the 
Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly,  who  shall  issue  supplements  and 
numbers  of  the  Minutes  at  regular  intervals  containing  lists  of  such  changes, 
etc.  These  lists  shall  be  furnished,  without  extra  charge,  to  the  Chairmen 
of  Presbyterial  and  Sy nodical  Committees,  to  the  Clerks  of  Presbyteries 
and  Synods,  and  upon  request  to  unemployed  ministers  and  to  the  Clerks 
of  Sessions  of  vacant  congregations. — 1901,  p.  143  ;  also,  1902,  p.  176. 

II.    The  Narrative. 

1.  Name  of  the  Narrative  changed,  and  Committee  on  Christian  Life 
and  Work  appointed. 

It  is  recommended  that  the  following  resolutions  be  adopted : 

1.  That  the  Narrative  of  the  State  of  Religion  be  hereafter  known  as 
the  Narrative  of  Christian  Life  and  Work. 

2.  That  a  special  Committee  on  Christian  Life  and  Work  is  hereby  ap- 
pointed to  consist  of  eleven  members,  of  whom  two  shall  be  the  Moderator 
for  the  time  being  and  the  Stated  Clerk  ;  the  other  nine  members  to  be 
appointed  by  the  Moderator.  Of  the  nine  members  to  be  appointed  one- 
third  shall  be  changed  each  year.  The  duties  of  the  Committee  shall  be 
to  consider  and  report  upon  the  Narratives  of  Christian  Life  and  Work 
from  the  Presbyteries,  annually  prepared  for  the  Assembly,  and  also  to 
report  from  their  own  knowledge  upon  any  related  matters  connected  with 
the  general  spiritual  condition  of  the  Church.  The  Committee  shall  not 
report  upon  any  matters  within  the  jurisdiction  of  other  Committees  or  of 
the  Boards  and  agencies  of  the  Church.  The  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assem- 
bly shall  be  the  Secretary.— 1906,  p.  222. 

SECTION   X. 
1.  Moderator  is  not  the  judge  of  the  necessity  of  a  pro  re  nata  meeting. 

Judicial  Case  No.  11. — The  Judicial  Commission,  to  whom  this  case 
has  been  submitted,  respectfully  report  as  follows  : 


FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT,  CHAP.  XI.  971 

The  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  North,  on  January  19,  1897,  took  the 
following  action,  viz.: 

"Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  the  Presbytery,  that  in  the  case  of  a 
request,  signed  and  presented,  as  permitted  in  Chapter  x,  Section  x,  of 
the  Form  of  Government,  for  a  special  meeting  of  Presbytery,  the  Mod- 
erator is  to  be  the  judge  as  to  whether  the  emergency  is  such  as  to  re- 
quire the  holding  of  such  meeting." 

Against  this  action  Rev.  W.  H.  Pumphrey  complained  to  the  Synod  of 
Pennsylvania. 

The  Synod  decided  that,  though  a  question  in  Church  polity,  as  well 
as  a  Constitutional  question,  was  involved,  no  action  was  necessary. 
Against  this  action  of  Synod  Rev.  W.  H.  Pumphrey  complained  to  the 
General  Assembly. 

After  a  due  hearing  of  the  parties,  and  full  compliance  with  the  re- 
quirements of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  the  Commission  hud  as  follows : 

That  the  complaint  is  sustained  upon  the  ground  that  a  Constitutional 
question  is  involved  ;  that  the  requirements  of  Chapter  x,  Section  x,  of 
the  Form  of  Government  are  mandatory  and  not  discretionary  ;  and  that 
the  case  be  remanded  to  Synod,  with  the  injunction  that  they  reconsider 
this  action,  and  record  their  decision  agreeably  to  the  requirements  of  our 
Constitution. — 1898,  p.  133. 

SECTION  XI. 

1.  A  session  of  an  ecclesiastical  body  is  the  sitting  of  a  single  day. 

Overture  No.  227,  from  the  Synod  of  Minnesota,  asks  the  General 
Assembly  to  define  what  constitutes  a  session  of  an  ecclesiastical  body. 
The  following  answer  is  recommended  :  A  single  session  of  a  judicatory 
is  understood  to  be  a  single  sitting,  or  the  sitting  of  a  single  day  when 
continued,  even  though  interrupted  by  a  recess  or  recesses. — 1899,  p.  111. 


CHAPTER   XI. 
OF  THE  SYNOD. 


SECTION  I. 

1.  Clerical  commissioners  not  confined  to  pastors. 

Your  Judicial  Commission  to  which  was  referred  the  complaint  of  the 
Rev.  Charles  S.  Lane  (and  others)  against  the  action  of  the  Synod  of 
New  York,  in  the  case  of  the  complaint  of  the  Rev.  Charles  S.  Lane  and 
six  others  against  the  Presbytery  of  Westchester  in  electing  as  Commis- 
sioners to  the  Synod  of  New  York  two  ministers  who  at  the  time  of  their 
election  were  without  pastoral  charge  ;  voted  not  to  sustain  for  the  follow- 
ing reasons,  viz.,  inasmuch  as  there  was  in  the  findings  of  the  Judicial 
Commission  no  point  of  Constitution  or  law  to  adjudicate,  the  action  of 
the  Commission  was  final. — 1899,  p.  95. 

2.  Synods  erected  since  1898. 

(1)  Synod  of  West   Virginia. 

The  following  overtures  from  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  dated  October, 
1903,  have  been  placed  in  our  hands  : 


972  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

First,  "That  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  respectfully  overtures  the 
General  Assembly  of  1904  to  erect  a  new  Synod  to  be  called  the  Synod 
of  West  Virginia,  with  boundaries  coterminous  with  the  boundaries  of 
the  State  of  West  Virginia." — 1904,  p.  179. 

Second,  "  That  tbe  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  respectfully  overtures  the 
General  Assembly  of  1904  to  erect  a  third  Presbytery  in  the  State  of 
West  Virgiuia,  to  constitute  a  part  of  the  new  Synod  of  West  Virginia, 
to  be  called  the  Presbytery  of  Wheeling  ;  and  in  order  to  the  erection  of 
the  said  Presbytery  of  Wheeling,  that  the  General  Assembly  divide  the 
Presbytery  of  Washington,  in  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  on  the  State 
line  ;  and  those  ministers  and  churches  within  tbe  State  of  West  Virgiuia 
now  belonging  to  the  Presbytery  of  Washington,  and  as  many  other 
ministers  and  churches  and  so  much  territory  adjacent  as  the  General 
Assembly  may  deem  wise,  be  placed  in  the  said  Presbytery  of 
Wheeling." 

In  accordance  with  these  overtures,  we  recommend  : 

First,  That  the  Presbytery  of  Washington  be  and  hereby  is  divided 
on  the  State  line,  and  that  those  ministers  and  churches  which  now  belong 
to  the  Presbytery  of  Washington,  that  are  in  the  State  of  West  Virginia, 
constitute  the  Presbytery  of  Wheeling. 

Second,  That  the  Synod  of  West  Virginia  be  and  hereby  is  erected,  to 
consist  of  the  Presbyteries  of  Wheeling,  Grafton,  and  Parkersburg. 

Third,  That  the  Presbytery  of  Wheeling,  as  so  defined,  shall  meet  on 
the  6th  day  of  June,  1904,  at  8  p.m.,  in  the  Third  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Wheeling.  The  Kev.  Charles  H.  McDonald  is  hereby  appointed 
Moderator  (or,  in  case  of  his  absence  or  inability  to  act,  then  the  oldest 
minister  in  commission),  to  convene  the  Presbytery,  preach  the  opening 
sermon,  and  preside  until  the  Presbytery  shall  be  regularly  organized. 

Fourth,  That  the  Synod  of  West  Virginia  be  directed  to  meet  in  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Parkersburg,  W.  Va.,  on  the  eighteenth 
day  of  October,  1904,  at  7.30  p.m.  Rev.  J.  H.  Flanagan,  D.D.,  is 
hereby  appointed  Moderator  (or,  in  case  of  his  absence  or  inability  to  act, 
then  the  oldest  minister  in  commission),  to  convene  the  Synod,  preach  the 
opening  sermon,  and  preside  until  the  Synod  shall  be  regularly  organized. 
—1904,  p.  181. 

(2)  Synod  of  West  Kwantung. 

Overture  No.  70,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Manila,  asking  the  Assembly 
to  erect  the  Synod  of  West  Kwantung  : 

"  The  Presbytery  of  Manila,  on  advice  received  from  the  Synod  of 
Central  and  Southern  China,  voted  to  join  with  the  Presbyteries  of  Canton 
and  Hainan  in  the  following  overture  : 

"  The  Presbyteries  of  Canton,  Hainan,  and  Manila  respectfully  ask 
'Hat  the  Assembly  constitute  them  the  Synod  of  West  Kwantung,  in 
order  to  greater  convenience  of  meeting  and  transacting  of  business  and 
the  more  adequate  oversight  of  the  Church  within  their  bounds." 

The  following  action  is  recommended,  in  accordance  with  the  consent 
and  advice  of  the  Synod  of  Central  and  Southern  China  : 

Be  it  enacted,  1.  That  a  new  Synod  be  and  is  hereby  erected,  to  be 
called  the  Synod  of  West  Kwantung. 

2.  That  the  territory  covered  by  this  Synod  be  the  same  as  that  now 
covered  by  the  Presbyteries  of  Canton,  Hainan,  and  Manila. 


FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT,  CHAP.  XI.  973 

3.  That  said  three  Presbyteries,  together  with  the  ministers  and 
churches  now  constituting  them,  without  disturbing  their  Presbyterial  re- 
lations, be  and  hereby  are  transferred  from  the  Synod  of  Central  and 
Southern  China  to  this  new  Synod  of  West  Kwantung. 

4.  That  the  Synod  of  West  Kwantung  be  directed  to  meet  at  Canton, 
China,  on  the  15th  day  of  September,  1905,  at  7.30  o'clock  p.m.;  and 
that  Rev.  Henry  V.  Noyes,  D.D.,  the  senior  missionary,  forty-one  years 
resident  in  China,  be  appointed  to  convene  the  Synod,  preach  the  opening 
sermon,  and  preside  until  the  Synod  shall  have  been  duly  organized. 
Adopted.— 1905,  p.  206. 

(3)  Synod  of  Florida. 

Overture  No.  250,  from  the  Presbytery  of  South  Florida,  and  Over- 
ture No.  280,  from  the  Presbytery  of  East  Florida,  asking  the  General 
Assembly  to  erect  a  Synod  of  Florida,  by  so  readjusting  the  lines  of  the 
Presbyteries  of  South  Florida  and  East  Florida  as  to  constitute  three 
Presbyteries,  the  new  Presbytery  to  be  known  as  West  Florida,  and  also 
to  detach  from  the  Synod  of  New  Jersey  the  Presbytery  of  Havana,  and 
to  annex  it  to  the  new  Synod  of  Florida  ;  the  new  boundaries  of  the 
several  Presbyteries  are  explicitly  defined  in  the  overture.  The  Com- 
mittee recommend  that  the  requests  in  the  overtures  be  granted  ;  that 
the  new  Synod  of  Florida  be  erected  ;  that  the  boundaries  of  the  several 
Presbyteries  in  the  Synod  of  Florida  be  as  requested  in  the  overture,  and 
that  the  Presbytery  of  Havana  be  detached  from  the  Synod  of  New 
Jersey  and  annexed  to  the  new  Synod  of  Florida. 

Boundaries  of  the  Synod. — The  Synod  of  Florida  includes  and  is 
composed  of  the  Presbyteries  of  East  Florida,  South  Florida,  West  Flor- 
ida, and  Havana.  The  boundary  lines  of  the  Synod  shall  be  coterminous 
with  the  boundary  lines  of  the  State  of  Florida  and  of  the  Republic  of 
Cuba. 

Boundaries  of  Presbyteries. — 1.  The  Presbytery  of  South  Flor- 
ida includes,  with  the  ministers  and  churches,  the  territory  bounded  on 
the  north  by  the  northern  border  of  Pasco,  Polk,  and  Orange  counties,  in- 
cluding all  the  territory  of  these  counties ;  on  the  east  by  the  eastern 
border  of  Orange,  Osceolo,  De  Soto,  and  Lee  counties,  including  all  the 
territory  of  these  counties ;  on  the  south  by  the  southern  border  of 
Lee  county  ;  on  the  west  by  the  boundaries  of  the  State  back  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

2.  The  Presbytery  of  West  Florida  includes,  with  the  ministers  and 
churches,  the  territory  bounded  as  follows:  On  the  south  by  the  south- 
ern border  of  Hernando,  Sumter,  and  Lake  counties,  including  all  the 
territory  of  those  counties  ;  on  the  east  by  the  eastern  border  of  Lake, 
Marion,  Alachua,  Bradford,  and  Baker  counties,  including  all  the  terri- 
tory of  those  counties ;  on  the  north  and  west  by  the  boundary  lines  of 
the  State  of  Florida,  around  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

3.  The  Presbytery  of  East  Florida  includes  all  of  that  part  of  the 
State  of  Florida,  with  the  ministers  and  churches,  not  included  in  the 
Presbyteries  of  West  and  of  South  Florida,  being  the  counties  on  the 
Atlantic  seaboard. 

Meetings. — The  Presbytery  of  West  Florida  is  directed  to  meet  in 
Dunnellon,  Florida,  on  Tuesday,  October  10,  1905,  at  7.30  p.m.,  the 
Rev.  George  P.  Beard  (or  some  other  minister  in  case  of  his  absence)  to 


974 


SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 


convene  the  Presbytery,  preach  the  opening  sermon,  and  preside  until  the 
Presbytery  shall  be  regularly  organized. 

The  Synod  of  Florida  is  directed  to  meet  in  Eustis,  Florida,  on  Tues- 
day, November  7,  1905,  at  7.30  p.m.,  the  Rev.  Joseph  K.  Wight  (or 
some  other  minister  in  case  of  his  absence)  to  convene  the  Synod,  preach 
the  opening  sermon,  and  preside  until  the  Synod  shall  be  regularly  organ- 
ized.—1906,  p.  196. 


3.  Synods  and  Presbyteries  received  and  enrolled  in  1906. 

a.  Whereas,  Upon  the  declaration  of  the  reunion  and  union  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  and  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  the  Synods,  Presbyteries,  Sessions,  ministers, 
and  congregations  now  connected  with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  will  have  been  received  into  and  become  incorporated  with  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  (a)  That  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  with  the  assistance 
of  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church,  shall  be,  and  hereby  is,  authorized  and  directed  to  place 
the  names  of  the  Synods  and  Presbyteries  connected  with  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church  at  the  time  of  the  completion  of  the  reunion  and 
union  on  the  Roll  of  the  Synods  and  the  Presbyteries  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America 
in  1906.— 1906,  p.  147. 

b.  The  Stated  Clerk  made  formal  announcement  as  follows  : 

In  the  name  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America,  and  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church,  I  make  announcement  that  the  following 
Synods  and  Presbyteries,  with  their  ministers  and  churches,  have  been 
received  into  and  have  become  incorporated  with  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  their  names  are  therefore  placed 
upon  the  Roll  of  this  General  Assembly. — 1906,  p.  152. 

[Note. — See,  for  List  of  Synods  and  Presbyteries,  this  Digest,  p.  933, 
and  Minutes  of  1906,  p.  152.] 


SECTION  III. 

1.  Only  ministers  can  be  corresponding  members. 

1.  On  pages  103  and  110  the  names  of  certain  laymen  are  recorded  as 
having  been  invited  to  sit  as  corresponding  members. 

Our  Form  of  Government  does  not  provide  for  the  seating  in  our 
judicatories  as  corresponding  members  of  persons  other  than  ministers. — 
1905,  p.  213. 

2.  Standing  of  a  corresponding  member  must  be  fully  stated. 

1.  That  the  ecclesiastical  standing  of  Rev.  W.  L.  Lingle,  accorded  a 
seat  as  a  corresponding  member,  is  insufficiently  indicated  (p.  11). — 1905, 
p.  212. 


FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT,  CHAP.  XI.  975 

SECTION  IV. 

1.  Synods  cannot  appoint  Commissions  in  violation  of  the  provisions  of 

the  Constitution. 

The  Records  of  the  Synod  of  Colorado  were  approved,  with  the  follow- 
ing exception,  viz.:  The  appointment  of  a  Commission  of  twelve  to  act 
upon  the  matter  of  the  reappointment  of  the  Synodical  Sabbath-school  mis- 
sionary, such  Commission  to  convene  at  a  time  specified  by  the  Clerk  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Gunnison  (see  pp.  65,  83).  It  is  the  opinion  of  your 
Committee  that  inasmuch  as  judicial  questions  were  involved,  this  action 
is  irregular  for  the  following  reasons :  First,  It  violates  the  principle  that 
original  jurisdiction  in  relation  to  ministers  pertains  to  the  Presbytery 
(see  Book  of  Discipline,  Sect.  18).  Second,  It  is  contrary  to  the  pro- 
vision that  Commissions  shall  sit  at  the  same  time  and  place  as  the  Synods 
appointing  them  (see  Book  of  Discipline,  Sect.  119  J. — 1904,  p.  220. 

2.  When  a  Synod  has  not  members  to  spare  for  a  Judicial  Commission 

a  trial  should  be  conducted  by  the  Synod  as  a  whole. 

It  appearing  that  an  appeal  to  Synod  from  the  Presbytery  of  Pembina 
was  found  in  order,  but  not  issued  because  of  an  insufficiency  of  members 
present  to  spare  for  a  Judicial  Commission,  it  is  the  judgment  of  the  Assem- 
bly that  the  Synod  erred  in  not  according  the  appellant  the  speedy  trial  to 
which  he  was  entitled  by  the  Synod  as  a  whole,  and  is  reminded  that  the 
appellant  has  not  thereby  lost  any  of  his  rights  (see  Book  of  Discipline, 
Sees.  118,  119).— 1898,  p.  139. 

3.  Judgment  of  Synod  is  final  in  cases  which  do  not  affect  the  doctrine 

or  Constitution. 

a.  An  appeal  of  the  Prosecuting  Committee  from  the  Synod  of  Nebraska, 
in  the  case  of  J.  Scott  Woods. 

The  Judicial  Committee  recommended  that,  as  the  case  involved  no 
question  of  Constitutional  law  or  of  doctrine  requiring  the  action  of  the 
General  Assembly,  the  appeal  be  dismissed. — 1899,  p.  74. 

b.  Appeal  and  complaint  of  N.  N.  McCullough  vs.  the  Synod  of  Balti- 
more.—1900,  p.  100. 

c.  Appeal  of  Owen  Riedy  vs.  the  Synod  of  Texas. — 1901,  p.  44. 

d.  Complaint  and  appeal  of  Robert  J.  Todd  and  others  vs.  the  Synod  of 
New  York.— 1904,  p.  84. 

e.  Appeal  of  J.  J.  Simeon  against  the  Synod  of  India.  This  is  an  ap- 
peal from  the  Synod's  decision  that  approved  of  an  election  of  elders  and 
deacons  as  held  in  one  of  the  churches  under  the  direction  of  the  Presby- 
tery of  Allahabad.  As  it  is  evident  from  the  records  that  this  case  did 
not  affect  the  doctrine  or  Constitution  of  the  Church,  the  decision  of  the 
Synod  of  India  must  be  held  to  be  final  (Form  of  Gov.,  Chap,  xi,  Sec.  iv). 
We  therefore  recommend  the  dismissal  of  the  appeal. — 1904,  p.  84. 

f.  Appeal  of  Rev.  Donald  Stewart,  of  Canada,  against  the  Synod  of 
Indiana.— 1904,  p.  84. 

4.  Judicial   Committee   reversed  by  Judicial  Commission  in  cases  in 

which  judgment  of  Synod  is  final. 

a.  The  Judicial  CornmitteeL.  presented  the  following  Report,  which  was 
accepted : 


976  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

The  Judicial  Committee  would  respectfully  report : 

Judicial  Case  No.  3,  being  the  appeal  and  complaint  of  James  G. 
Patterson,  D.D.,  vs.  the  Synod  of  New  York,  and  recommend  (1)  that 
the  appeal  and  complaint  be  found  in  order ;  (2)  that  they  be  referred  to 
a  Judicial  Commission.     Adopted. — 1900,  p.  82. 

Judicial  Case  No.  3. — The  Judicial  Commission  appointed  by  the 
General  Assembly  to  whom  was  referred  the  appeal  and  complaint  of 
Rev.  J.  G.  Patterson,  D.D.,  against  the  Synod  of  New  York,  for  having 
dismissed  his  appeal,  and  for  having  refused  to  sustain  his  complaint 
against  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  having  examined  the  papers  sub- 
mitted and  heard  the  parties,  took  action  as  follows  : 

In  view  of  the  provision  of  the  Form  of  Government,  Chap,  xi, 
Sec.  iv,  that  the  decision  of  Synod  on  appeals  and  complaints  and  refer- 
ences which  do  not  affect  the  doctrine  or  Constitution  of  the  Church  is 
final,  and  inasmuch  as  no  question  of  doctrine  or  constitution  is,  in  the 
judgment  of  the  Commission,  involved  in  this  case,  therefore  the  Commission 
determines  that  the  appeal  and  complaint  of  Rev.  J.  G.  Patterson,  D.D., 
vs.  the  Synod  of  New  York  be  and  are  hereby  dismissed. — 1900,  p.  lotf. 

b.  The  Judicial  Committee,  through  its  Chairman,  Rev.  John  W. 
Dinsmore,  D.D.,  presented  a  Report,  which  was  adopted,  and  is  as 
follows : 

Judicial  Case  No.  7,  entitled  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America  vs.  Mrs.  Sarah  R.  Clinton.  We  find  this  case  in  order, 
and  that  it  raises  questions  affecting  the  Constitution  of  the  Church,  and 
recommend  that  it  be  referred  to  a  Judicial  Commission  to  be  tried  and 
issued  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  Book  of  Discipline. — 1901, 
p.  45. 

The  Commission  on  Judicial  Case  No.  7  reported  its  finding  in  the 
case,  which  was  entered  upon  record  and  is  as  follows : 

Judicial  Case  No.  7. — The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
of  America  vs.  Mrs.  Sarah  R.  Clinton,  being  an  appeal  from  the  final 
judgment  of  the  Synod  of  Ohio.  Your  Commission  finds  that  the  appeal 
does  not  properly  come  before  us  for  adjudication  because  it  does  not 
present  any  question  of  Constitutional  law  or  doctrine,  and  therefore  the 
same  is  hereby  dismissed. — 1901,  p.  140. 

Protest  against  above  judgment. 

A  protest  against  the  decision  in  Judicial  Case  No.  7  was  presented 
and  ordered  to  be  put  on  record.     The  protest  is  as  follows : 

The  Judicial  Committee,  by  its  Chairman,  reported  this  case  in  order, 
as  involving  questions  of  Constitutional  law  or  doctrine,  and  recommended 
that  it  be  assigned  to  a  Judicial  Commission  for  trial.  The  Commission 
in  the  case  found  that  it  does  not  properly  come  before  them  for  adjudica- 
tion, because  it  does  not  present  any  question  of  Constitutional  law  or 
doctrine,  and  therefore  dismissed  the  case.  The  point  here  presented  is 
one  of  great  importance,  in  view  of  the  movement  to  appoint  a  Perma- 
nent Judicial  Commission.  Shall  the  Assembly  retain  the  right  to  decide 
beforehand  the  questions  at  issue,  as  far  as  it  may  see  fit  to  do  so.  and 
then  refer  the  case  to  a  Judicial  Commission,  with  instructions  to  issue 
and  try  the  case,  or  shall  a  Judicial  Commission,  by  virtue  of  its  appoint- 
ment, become  a  law  unto  itself,  a  semi-independent  body,  with  liberty  to 
disregard  the  action  taken  and  the  instructions  given   by  the   Assembly? 

As  we  regard  the  finding  and  judgment  of  the  Judicial  Commission  in 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAR    XI.  977 

this  case  as  a  disregard  of  the  action  taken  and  instructions  given  by  the 

Assembly,  we  file  our  protest. — 1901,  p.  169. 

E.  W.  C.  Humphrey, 
D.  S.  Kennedy. 

5.  Synod  should  not  assume  primary  jurisdiction  of  ministers. 

Synod  of  Atlantic.  Exception.  That  it  is  stated,  without  explanation, 
that  Rev.  R.  A.  Collingham's  name  was  by  vote  dropped  from  the  roll. 
From  such  record  it  would  appear  that  Synod  assumed  a  Presbyterial 
function. 

Your  Committee  therefore  submits  that  the  cause  of  such  action,  and 
also  the  Constitutional  authority  and  method  of  procedure  in  the  case, 
should  be  made  matters  of  record. — 1900,  p.  155. 

6.  Synods  to  prepare  model  charters  for  congregations. 

It  was  Resolved,  That  the  several  Synods  be  and  they  are  hereby 
recommended  to  consider  and  examine,  and  if  deemed  advisable  and 
practicable,  to  prepare,  adopt,  and  set  forth  for  use  in  each  respective 
State  and  Territory  such  form  of  charter  of  Presbyterian  churches  and 
such  provisions  to  be  inserted  in  wills  and  also  in  deeds  of  land  to  Presby- 
terian churches  as  will  safeguard  and  secure  the  property  of  our  churches 
to  this  denomination,  and  also  be  in  accordance  with  the  Form  of  Govern- 
ment of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A. — 1897,  p.  82. 

7.  Synodical  Home  Missions. 
[See  under  Chap,  xii,  Sec.  v,  Form  of  Government,  Home  Missions.] 

SECTION  V. 

1.  Sermon  must  be  preached. 

Synod  of  Indian  Territory.  Exception.  The  Synod  was  opened  with  a 
popular  meeting,  when  two  addresses  were  delivered,  instead  of  a  sermon 
by  the  Moderator  or  his  substitute,  as  prescribed  in  the  Form  of  Govern- 
ment.—1900,  p.  155. 

2.  Particular  sessions  to  be  opened  and  closed  with  prayer. 

Synod  of  India.  There  is  no  record  that  its  opening  session  was  con- 
stituted with  prayer. — 1898,  p.  138. 

Synod  of  Minnesota.  Two  sessions  were  opened  without  prayer. — 
1899,  p.  131. 

Synod  of  Montana,  There  is  no  record  of  the  opening  and  closing  of 
the  sessions  with  prayer. — 1898,  p.  138. 

Substantially  the  same  exceptions,  Synod  of  Kansas,  1898,  p.  131  * 
Synod  of  California,  1904,  p.  220  ;  and  Synod  of  Atlantic,  1905,  p.  212. 

Synod  of  North  Dakota.  Clerk  failed  to  record  closing  with  prayer. 
—1903,  p.  167.     Also  Synod  of  Oregon.— 1903,  p.  167  ;  see  also  p.  963. 

3.  Devotional  exercises  a  substitute  for  opening  prayer. 

Overture  No.  248,  from  the  Synod  of  Minnesota,  on  approving  Synod- 
ical Records.  The  following  answer  is  recommended  :  The  Assembly 
orders  that  when  an  ecclesiastical  court  has  been  opened  by  devotional 
exercises  this  shall  be  a  sufficient  substitute  for  an  opening  prayer. — 1900, 
p.  73. 

62 


978  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

SECTION  VI. 
REVIEW  OF  AND  EXCEPTIONS   TO  RECORDS. 

1.  Records  must  be  full. 

a.  Synod  of  North  Dakota.  The  Records  are  not  properly  kept,  in 
that  they  are  frequently  deficient  in  fullness  of  record  and  in  perspicuity, 
have  lead-pencil  entries  and  unfilled  blanks,  the  Reports  of  Committees 
are  entered  by  the  clumsy  device  of  pasting  the  original  manuscripts  in 
the  book,  and  often  neither  the  name  of  the  Committee  nor  of  its  Chair- 
man is  attached  to  a  report.— 1898,  p.  138.     Also,  1906,  p.  234. 

b.  Synod  of  Texas.  The  names  of  newly  arrived  members  and  of 
members  appointed  on  certain  Committees  are  recorded  without  any  titles 
or  designations  to  determine  whether  they  were  ministers  or  ruling  elders. 

Many  of  the  acts  of  Synod  are  not  recorded  clearly  and  intelligibly. — 
1905,  p.  213. 

c.  Synod  of  Oregon.  On  page  251  it  is  recorded  that  at  the  morning 
session  Synod  heard  a  report  on  judicial  business  ;  on  page  252  it  appears 
that  it  had  been  in  executive  session,  but  there  is  nothing  to  show  where 
said  session  began. — 1906,  p.  235. 

Many  of  the  benevolent  Boards  are  indicated  by  initials,  when  they 
should  be  written  in  full. — 1906,  p.  235. 

2.  Absentees  to  be  enrolled. 

a.  Synod  of  Texas.     Absentees  are  not  recorded. — 1898,  p.  140. 

b.  Synod  of  Illinois.  From  the  Report  of  the  Mileage  Committee  it 
appears  that  a  considerable  number  of  duly  accredited  delegates  were  not 
present  at  the  last  session  of  Synod.  Yet  no  mention  is  made  of  the 
names  of  absentees,  nor  does  it  appear  that  excuses  for  non-attendance  are 
ever  asked  for. — 1899,  p.  130. 

c.  Synod  of  New  York.  Names  of  absentees  are  not  given. — 1899,  p. 
131. 

d.  Synod  of  Kansas.     Absentees  are  not  recorded. — 1899,  p.  131. 

3.  Delegate  Synods  may  omit  names  of  absentees, 
a.  We  recommend  that  Overtures  Nos.  36,  89,  90,  from  the  Synod  of 
Illinois,    Schuyler    Presbytery,    etc.,    asking   that   delegated    Synods  be 
allowed  to  omit  from  their  Records  the  names  of  absentees,   be  answered 
in  the  affirmative. — 1904,  p.  180. 

4.  Results  of  final  roll-call  to  be  recorded. 

a.  Synod  of  North  Dakota  (1896,  1897).  The  result  of  the  final  roll- 
'call  previous  to  adjournment  is  not  recorded. — 1898,  p.  139. 

b.  Synod  of  Indian  Territory.  There  was  no  final  roll-call  prior  to 
adjournment,  that  the  names  of  absentees  unexcused  might  be  recorded, 
if  any  such  there  should  be. — 1900,  p.  155. 

5.  Churches  not  represented  must  be  recorded. 

a.  Synod  of  North  Dakota.  There  is  no  record  of  the  churches  that 
are  unrepresented,  nor,  in  most  cases,  of  the  respective  churches  which 
the  elders  represent. — 1898,  p.  138. 

b.  Synod  of  New  Mexico.  The  particular  churches  not  represented 
are  not  recorded. — 1900,  p.  155. 

c.  Synod  of  Indian  Territory.     Same  exception. — 1901,  p.  165. 


FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT,  CHAP.  XI.  979 

6.  Action  taken  and  Reports  adopted  must  be  recorded. 

a.  Synod  of  Texas.  Although  committees  were  appointed  to  examine 
Records  of  the  Presbyteries,  there  is  nothing  to  show  that  Reports  were 
rendered  by  these  committees. — 1898,  p.  140. 

On  p.  463  is  written  a  Resolution  without  a  record  of  the  action  taken 
thereon.— 1898,  p.  140. 

b.  Synod  of  Indian  Territory.  Reports  of  Committees  were  adopted 
but  not  recorded. 

The  Treasurer's  Report  was  presented,  and  without  being  accepted  was 
referred  to  the  Auditing  Committee ;  the  Auditing  Committee  found 
"  the  books  and  vouchers  correct,"  yet  did  not  recommend  the  adoption 
of  the  Report. 

While  there  is  no  Minute  of  the  Report  of  the  "  Treasurer  of  the 
Davidson  Fund,"  yet  the  Auditing  Committee  reports  upon  the  said 
Treasurer's  "  books  and  vouchers,"  and  finds  them  correct,  but  does  not 
recommend  their  approval. 

The  Auditing  Committee's  Report  recommends  the  adoption  of  the 
Treasurer's  recommendation  of  an  apportionment  of  two  and  one-half 
cents  per  member,  whereas  the  Treasurer's  Report  does  not  show  any 
recommendation  at  all  upon  this  matter. — 1901,  p.  165. 

c.  Synod  of  Texas.  The  Committee  on  the  Records  of  Trinity  Presby- 
tery reported,  recommending  their  approval  with  an  exception,  and 
Synod  adopted  the  Reports  without  recording  the  exception  or  explaining 
it  in  any  way.  The  exception  should  be  placed  on  record  in  the  Min- 
utes.—1901,  p.  167. 

d.  Synod  of  Nebraska.  Exception  is  taken  to  the  Records  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Niobrara,  without  recording  the  exceptions. — 1902,  p.  169. 

e.  Synod  of  Texas.  The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Over- 
tures was  presented,  but  no  record  is  made  of  reception  or  adoption. — 
1902,  p.  169. 

f.  Synod  of  Minnesota.  The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Aid  for 
Colleges  is  not  recorded. — 1904,  p.  221. 

g.  Synod  of  Catawba.  The  Records  fail  to  show  that  the  Minutes  of 
the  last  day's  session  were  approved  by  the  Synod. — 1906,  p.  234. 

They  do  not  show  the  nature  of  the  report  made  on  the  Minutes  of 
Yadkin  Presbytery,  pages  9  and  17.— 1906,  p.  234. 

7.  Spelling  may  be  variable. 

Synod  of  Atlantic.  Orthography  is  not  always  the  proper  subject  of 
exception. — 1902,  p.  169. 

8.  A  Narrative  of  the  State  of  Religion  should  be  prepared  and  recorded. 

a.  Synod  of  Washington.  It  does  not  appear  that  a  Narrative  of  the 
State  of  Religion  was  prepared,  and  none  was  presented  by  the  Committee 
appointed  for  that  purpose. — 1902,  p.  169. 

b.  Synod  of  North  Dakota.  There  is  no  record  of  a  Narrative  of  the 
State  of  Religion.— 1898,  p.  139. 

c  Synod  of  Texas.  The  resolution  proposed  to  abolish  the  Committee 
on  Narrative.  The  Synod  should  secure  an  annual  Narrative  of  the 
State  of  Religion  within  its  bounds.     Adopted. — 1898,  p.  140. 

d.  Synod  of  Indian  Territory.  The  Narrative  of  the  State  of  Religion, 
though  adopted,  is  not  in  the  record. — 1901,  p.  165. 


980  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

9.  Judicial  cases  not  included  in  ordinary  review  of  records. 

a.  Synod  of  Ohio.  With  the  exception  of  the  action  taken  by  the 
Synod  in  the  case  of  Wm.  J.  Massey. — 1898,  p.  140. 

b.  Synod  of  New  York.  Except  in  so  far  as  relates  to  judicial  cases 
before  this  Assembly. — 1899,  p.  131. 

c.  Synod  of  Pennsylvania.  With  the  exception  of  the  decision  in  the 
case  of  the  Church  of  the  Covenant,  Williamsport,  Pa.,  acted  upon  by  a 
Judicial  Commission  of  this  Assembly. — 1900,  p.  156  ;  see  also  p.  154. 

d.  Synod  of  Pennsylvania.  The  approval  of  the  Eecord  in  Judicial 
Case  I\To.  1  is  conditioned  upon  the  action  of  this  Assembly  on  the  appeal 
taken  from  the  Synod's  action  and  now  before  the  Assembly. — 1901,  p. 
166. 

10.  The  subject  matter  of  complaints  must  be  recorded. 

a.  Synod  of  Illinois.  There  is  no  intimation  given  as  regards  the  sub- 
ject matter  of  grievance.  Your  committee  is  unable  to  form  any  opinion 
as  to  whether  such  action  was  taken  upon  constitutional  grounds. — 1899, 
p.  130. 

b.  Synod  of  Atlantic.  That  the  record  of  the  judicial  case  of  appeal 
and  complaint  from  McClelland  Presbytery  is  incomplete,  in  that  it  no- 
where indicates  the  nature  of  the  appeal  and  complaint  or  the  contents  of 
specifications  referred  to  as  "  specifications  1-9  "  and  "  1—3,"  and  the  Com- 
mittee recommends  that  the  Synod  be  instructed  to  so  correct  the  Minutes 
that  they  shall  clearly  reveal  the  nature  of  the  case  and  the  findings  of 
the  judicatory.— 1905,  p.  212. 

11.  Commissions  should  not  be  appointed  to  approve  the  Minutes. 

Synod  of  Texas.  Upon  the  last  day  of  the  sessions  of  the  Synod  a  Com- 
mission was  appointed  to  "  read,  correct,  and  approve  the  Minutes."  The 
Minutes  of  the  preceding  days  had  already  been  approved.  After  ad- 
journment the  Commission  performed  their  duties,  according  to  the  attesta- 
tion of  the  Temporary  Clerk.  The  propriety  of  this  mode  of  procedure 
is  questioned. — 1898,  p.  140. 

12.  Records  need  not  be  approved  twice. 
Synod  of  Pennsylvania.     The  exception  to  the  Records  of  the  Presby- 
tery of  Butler,   because   "the  engrossed  records  lack  approval  by  Pres- 
bytery," is  not  well  taken. — 1901,  p.  166. 

13.  Certification  of  previous  Minutes  to  be  recorded  in  new  Book. 
Synod  of  Texas.  As  these  Records  are  in  a  new  book  and  the  old  book 
not  present  in  the  house  and  no  attestation  by  the  clerk  that  the  previous 
Minutes  up  to  this  date  had  been  examined  and  approved  by  the  Assem- 
bly, the  Committee  are  without  voucher  to  that  fact.  We  think  this 
omission  should  be  supplied  to  complete  the  Record. — 1901,  p.  167. 

14.  Regulations  as  to  certification  to  be  complied  with, 
a.  Synod  of  Illinois.  It  is  permitted  by  the  General  Assembly  that 
printed  Minutes  of  Synod  may  be  presented  to  the  General  Assembly. 
But  it  is  directed  that  in  such  cases  blank  pages  be  appended  to  the  printed 
Minutes.  The  Minutes  of  Synod  fail  to  comply  with  this  direction. — 
1899,  p.  130. 


FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT,  CHAP.  XI.  981 

b.  Synod  of  New  Mexico.  There  are  no  blank  pages  for  the  recording 
of  the  General  Assembly's  certificate  of  approval. — 1900,  p.  156. 

c.  Synods  of  Montana  and  South  Dakota.  The  regulation  as  to  certi- 
fication should  be  complied  with. — 1904,  p.  221. 

14.  Compliance  urged  with  regulations  as  to  printed  records. 

Synod  of  North  Dakota.  Synod  is  urged  to  have  its  Records  for  1896 
and  1897  printed  in  accordance  with  its  own  conditional  decision,  and  in 
conformity  with  the  terms  prescribed  by  the  General  Assembly  for  printed 
Minutes.— 1898,  p.  140. 

15.  Translation  of  printed  copy  accepted. 

Synod  of  North  China.  That  the  translation  presented  to  the  Assem- 
bly in  lieu  of  the  printed  copy  of  the  Minutes  be  accepted  and  approved. 
That  the  Synod  be  requested  hereafter  to  transmit  to  the  Assembly  a 
printed  copy  of  the  Minutes  in  the  native  tongue,  together  with  a  trans- 
lation thereof— 1904,  p.  220. 

16.  After  records  have  been  approved  corrections  can  be  made  only  by 
recurrence  to  the  judicatory  approving. 

a.  A  request  from  the  Synod  of  New  York  for  permission  to  amend  its 
Records.     It  is  recommended  that  the  request  be  granted. — 1900,  p.  82. 

b.  Synod  of  New  Mexico.  After  the  General  Assembly  had  passed 
upon  the  Minutes  of  said  Synod  of  1898,  approving  them  without  excep- 
tion, the  Synod  appointed  a  Committee  to  compare  the  printed  copy  with 
the  written  Record,  who  reported  that  "  many  minor  differences  had  been 
discovered."  The  Record  fails  to  state  the  importance  of  these  "many  minor 
differences,"  but  shows  that  the  Synod  then  adopted  the  written  record, 
which  was  not  approved  by  the  General  Assembly,  instead  of  the  printed 
record  which  had  been  so  approved.  This  shows  that  the  Synod  did  not 
in  1898  send  an  exact  transcript  of  its  Minutes  to  the  General  Assembly, 
and  for  that  year  their  Record  does  not  contain  the  certificate  of  approval 
by  the  General  Assembly.  Further,  the  Synod  is  not  competent  to  change 
its  Record  after  it  has  been  approved  by  the  General  Assembly,  without 
permission  of  the  Assembly. — 1900,  p.   155. 

c.  Synod  of  Atlantic.  In  the  matter  of  the  request  for  the  correction 
of  a  manifest  error  in  the  Records  approved  by  the  last  General  Assembly, 
it  is  recommended  that  the  request  be  granted. — 1902,  p.  169. 

17.  The  Records  must  be  presented  annually. 

a.  Synod  of  North  Dakota.  The  Records  were  not  presented  last  year 
for  examination. — 1898,  p.  138. 

b.  Synod  of  Utah.  No  Records  presented  to  the  General  Assembly  for 
two  years.— 1898,  p.  138. 

c.  Synod  of  Indian  Territory.  Minutes  not  presented,  and  the  Synod 
was  directed  to  send  them  to  the  next  Assembly. — 1899,  p.  130. 

d.  Synods  of  Central  and  Southern  China  and  North  Dakota.  Records 
not  in  the  possession  of  the  Committees. — 1902,  p.  168. 

Also,  Synods  of  Baltimore  and  Catawba,  1903,  p.  166  ;  and  Synods  of 
Central  and  Southern  China  and  Utah,  1904,  p.  221. 


982  SUPPLEMENT   TO    DIGEST. 

CHAPTER    XII. 
OF    THE    GENERAL    ASSEMBLY. 

SECTION    I. 
I.    THE  MODERATOR. 

1.  Mode  of  election.     Standing  Rule  No.  26. 

Where  there  is  only  one  nominee  for  Moderator,  the  election  may  be 
made  by  acclamation.  Where  there  are  more  than  one,  the  election  shall 
be  by  ballot  in  the  following  manner  : 

After  the  nominations  are  made  each  Section  shall  choose  a  Chairman 
and  a  Secretary,  and  the  Chairman  shall  appoint  two  Tellers.  Each 
Commissioner  shall  write  the  name  of  his  choice  on  a  ticket  to  be  provided 
in  advance  by  the  Stated  Clerk.  The  Tellers  shall  collect  the  tickets 
and  count  them  under  the  supervision  of  the  Chairman.  The  result  will 
be  recorded  by  the  Secretary  on  tickets  in  duplicate,  one  of  which  shall 
be  handed  to  the  Stated  Clerk,  with  the  number  of  the  Section  written 
thereon.     The  other  shall  be  retained  by  the  Secretary. 

When  the  reports  of  the  ballots  have  been  issued  from  all  the  Sections, 
the  Stated  Clerk  shall  read  each  aloud,  giving  the  number  of  the  Section 
and  the  vote  as  cast.  Tellers  appointed  by  the  Stated  Clerk  shall  take 
and  tabulate  the  votes  as  read.  The  Moderator  will  then  announce  the 
vote  as  tabulated.  If  no  one  has  received  a  majority  of  the  whole  vote, 
another  vote  shall  be  taken  in  the  same  manner.  When  one  has  received 
a  majority,  the  Moderator  shall  announce  the  result  and  declare  him  to 
be  elected.— 1904,  p.  96. 

2.  Limit  of  time  for  nominating  speeches. 

Whereas,  The  time  allotted  for  the  election  of  Moderator  is  limited, 
and  cannot  be  extended  without  delaying  the  formation  of  the  Standing 
Committees  and  retarding  the  business  of  the  Assembly  ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  speeches  nominating  candidates  for  Moderator  shall  be 
limited  to  ten  minutes  ;  only  one  speech,  and  that  not  to  exceed  five 
minutes,  shall  be  made  in  seconding  the  nomination  of  a  candidate. — 
1906,  p.  38. 

3.  Appointment  of  Chairmen  of  Standing  Committees. 

The  Moderator  shall,  as  soon  as  possible  after  his  election,  appoint  a 
member  of  each  Standing  Committee,  who  shall  be  the  Chairman  thereof. 
[See  for  further  details,  Standing  Rule  No.  5,  this  Supplement,  p.  985.] 

II.   STANDING    ORDERS  AND   RULES. 
1.  Changes  and  additions. 

5.  See  under  Standing  Committees,  p.  985. 

6.  Former  Rule  No.  5  was  renumbered  six  (6)  after  the  insertion  of 
New  Rule  No.  5,  and  all  other  numbers  up  to  21  put  forward  one  number. 

7.  See  for  Change,  this  Supplement,  p.  988. 

23.  All  Reports  of  Special  Committees  shall  be  delivered  to  the  Stated 
Clerk  thirty  days  prior  to  the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  shall 
be  printed  by  him  and  delivered  to  Commissioners  in  bound  form  on  the 
second  day  of  the  session. — 1897,  p.  144. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,  CHAP.  XII,  SECT.  I.  983 

24.  Upon  the  original  appointment  of  any  salaried  executive  officer 
of  any  of  the  Benevolent  and  Missionary  Boards  of  the  Church,  such 
appointment  shall  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  General  Assembly. — 
1898,  p.  132. 

25.  The  Moderator,  with  the  Stated  and  Permanent  Clerks,  should  an 
emergency  requiring  action  at  any  time  arise,  are  authorized  to  provide  a 
new  place  of  meeting  for  the  General  Assembly. 

26.  The  Moderator  shall  be  elected  in  the  following  manner.  [See 
Rule,  this  Supplement,  p.  982.] 

27.  Hereafter  all  overtures  from  Presbyteries  and  Synods  which  are  to 
come  before  the  General  Assembly  shall  be  in  the  hands  of  the  Stated 
Clerk  at  least  two  weeks  before  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly,  and  by  him 
shall  be  printed  in  convenient  form  for  distribution  on  the  floor  of  the 
Assembly.  The  distribution  to  be  made  not  later  than  the  second  day  of 
the  Assembly. 

III.   MEMBERS   OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

1.  Seating  of  Commissioners. 

Each  Commissioner  shall  be  assigned  to  his  seat  in  advance  of  the 
meeting  of  the  Assembly  by  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  under  the 
supervision  and  direction  of  the  Stated  Clerk.  [See  Standing  Rule  No. 
5,  this  Supplement,  p.  985.] 

2.  Advisory  Members. 
Standing  Rule    No.  15,  amended    as  follows:  That  after  the  phrase 
"through  the  organization  of  union  Presbyteries"  there  be  inserted  the 
phrase  "  or  when    missions   exist  without  Presbyterial   organization." — 
1902,  p.  14.     [See  for  Rule,  this  Digest,  p.  264.] 

IV.    THE  STATED   CLERK. 
1.  Tenure  of  Office. 

a.  Your  Committee  would  report  on  the  resolution  referred  to  them, 
that  at  this  time  it  is  inexpedient  to  make  any  change  in  the  tenure  of 
the  offices  of  the  Stated  and  Permanent  Clerks. — 1900,  p.  82. 

b.  Your  Committee  has  had  submitted  to  it  139  papers,  most  of  them 
in  the  form  of  overtures,  relating  to  a  change  in  the  salaries  of  the  Stated 
and  Permanent  Clerks  and  to  a  limitation  of  the  terms  of  office  of  said 
Clerks.  The  Committee,  having  carefully  examined  and  arranged  all  of 
these  papers,  has  to  report  that  only  forty-three  Presbyteries  are  in  favor 
of  any  such  action,  so  far  as  reported,  while  ninety  have  expressed  them- 
selves as  in  opposition  thereto.  After  careful  consideration  of  the  matter, 
the  Committee  unanimously  recommends  that  the  Assembly  take  no 
action  thereon. — 1901,  p.  89. 

[Note. — The  office  of  Stated  Clerk  was  established  by  the  General  Synod  in  1750, 
and  has  never  been  a  Term-service  office.] 

2.  Expenses  of  the  Assembly. 

a.  Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  authorized  to  pay  the  usual  bills 
and  salaries.— 1898,  p.  143,  and  other  years  to  1906,  p.  232. 

b.  Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  authorized  to  contract  for  the 
usual  printing  of  the  Reports  of  the  Special  Committees,  Manuals,  Lists 
of  Commissioners,  Lists  of  Overtures,  and  all  blanks  connected  with  the 
current  work  of  the  General  Assembly. — 1906,  p.  233. 


984  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

c.  Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  authorized  to  expend,  from 
time  to  time  during  the  ensuiDg  year,  such  sums  of  money  as  may  be 
necessary  for  the  ordinary  expenses  of  maintaining  and  operating  his 
office,  said  expenditure  to  be  subject  to  the  audit  of  the  Trustees  of  the 
General  Assembly.— 1906,  p.  209. 

d.  The  General  Assembly  is  responsible  only  for  the  expenses  of  its 
Commissioners  aud  officers  in  connection  with  its  annual  meeting. — 1901, 
p.  172. 

3.  Audit  of  accounts. 

That  as  the  annual  report  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Trustees  of  the 
General  Assembly  is  audited  and  certified  to  by  Committees  of  the  said 
Trustees,  in  addition  to  being  certified  to  by  certified  accountants,  before 
beiug  presented  to  the  General  Assembly,  that  in  like  manner  the  annual 
report  of  the  Stated  Clerk  as  Treasurer  of  the  General  Assembly  be 
audited  and  certified  to  by  a  Committee  of  the  Trustees  of  the  General 
Assembly,  in  addition  to  being  certified  to  by  certified  accountants,  before 
being  presented  to  the  General  Assembly  ;  and  that  the  Trustees  of  the 
General  Assembly  be  requested  by  the  General  Assembly  to  perform 
such  work  of  auditing  through  their  Committee. — 1906,  p.  209. 

4.  Salary. 

a.  That  in  view  of  the  growth  of  the  Church  and  the  consequent 
increased  labors  of  the  Stated  Clerk  that  his  salary  be  increased  from 
$3000  to  $4000  per  annum,  commencing  April  1,  1899.— 1899,  p.  135. 

b.  On  motion  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Finance,  the  sum 
of  one  thousand  dollars  was  added  to  the  salary  of  the  Stated  Clerk. — 
1904,  p.  154. 

5.  Printing  of  Overtures. 

[See  Standing  Rule  No.  27,  this  Supplement,  p.  983.] 

6.  Notification,  etc.,  of  Electing  Sections. 
[See  Details  of  operation  of  the  Plan,  this  Supplement,  p.  986.] 

7.  Papers  for  Electing  Sections. 

The  Stated  Clerk  shall  designate  one  Commissioner  in  each  Section  to 
receive  any  necessary  papers  for  the  Section.  [See  Standing  Rule  No.  5, 
this  Supplement,  p.  985.] 

8.  Seating  of  Commissioners. 

[See  this  Supplement,  p.  986.] 

9.  Reports  of  Special  Committees. 
[See  Standing  Rule  No.  23,  this  Supplement,  p.  982.] 

V.    THE  PERMANENT  CLERK. 

1.  Mode  of  Election  in  1900.     No  change  in  tenure  of  office. 

The  Committee  on  the  election  of  a  Permanent  Clerk  would  report  that 
seven  names  were  presented  to  your  Committee  as  suitable  candidates  for 
the  office  of  Permanent  Clerk.     Your  Committee  recommend : 


FOEM    OF    GOVERNMENT,  CHAP.   XII,  SECT.  I.  985 

1.  That  all  these  names  be  voted  on  by  the  Assembly,  and  that  to  each 
candidate  one  nominating  speech  be  permitted,  not  over  five  minutes  in 
length. 

2.  That  a  ballot  be  taken  on  the  seven  names  proposed,  and,  if  there 
be  no  election,  the  names  of  the  three  having  the  lowest  number  of  votes 
then  be  dropped  and  a  second  ballot  taken  ;  then  if  there  be  no  election, 
the  names  of  the  two  having  the  lowest  number  of  votes  be  dropped,  and 
the  final  ballot  be  taken  on  the  two  names  remaining. 

Your  Committee  also  would  report  on  the  resolution  referred  to  them, 
that  at  this  time  it  is  inexpedient  to  make  any  change  in  the  tenure  of 
the  offices  of  Stated  and  Permanent  Clerks. — 1900,  p.  81. 

2.  Report  of  Absentees  from  Electing  Sections. 

After  the  election  of  a  Moderator  the  Permanent  Clerk  shall  report 
absentees  from  the  first  roll-call.  Vacancies  in  the  electing  sections  may 
then  be  filled  by  the  Assembly.  [See  Standing  Rule  No.  5,  this  Sup- 
plement, p.  985.] 

VI.    STANDING   COMMITTEES. 

1.  Mode  of  Election.     Rules  adopted  in  1900  as  amended. 

5.  For  the  purpose  only  of  electiug  Standing  Committees,  the  General 
Assembly  shall  be  divided  into  twenty-two  Electing  Sections  of,  as  nearly 
as  practicable,  equal  size,  by  combining  the  smaller  Synods  and  dividing 
the  larger  by  Presbyteries  where  necessary.  The  Standing  Committees, 
except  those  on  Mileage  and  Finance,  shall  be  numbered  consecutively; 
the  Electing  Sections  shall  be  numbered  in  like  manner. 

The  Standing  Committees  shall  each  consist  of  twenty-three  members, 
including  the  Chairman,  except  the  Committees  on  Mileage  and  Finance, 
which  shall  each  consist  of  twelve  elders.  Eleven  members  of  the  Com- 
mittees on  Mileage  and  Finance  and  eleven  ministers  and  eleven  elders  of 
the  other  Committees  shall  be  chosen  by  the  Electing  Sections  as  herein 
provided.  The  Moderator  shall,  as  soon  as  possible  after  his  election, 
appoint  a  member  of  each  Standing  Committee,  who  shall  be  the  Chair- 
man thereof;  provided  that  he  shall  not  appoint  more  than  one  member 
and  Chairman  from  the  same  Electing  Section,  and  that  he  shall  always 
appoint  the  retiring  Moderator  as  a  member  and  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Bills  and  Overtures. 

If  the  Moderator  shall  appoint  as  a  member  and  Chairman  of  any 
Standing  Committee  any  one  chosen  by  any  Electing  Section  as  a  member 
of  that  or  any  other  Standing  Committee,  the  appointment  of  the  Mod- 
erator shall  take  precedence,  and  the  Electing  Section  shall  choose  another 
member  to  fill  the  vacancy  on  the  Committee  caused  by  the  Moderator's 
appointment. 

On  odd-numbered  years  each  odd-numbered  section  shall  elect  one 
minister  for  each  odd-numbered  Committee,  and  one  elder  for  each  even- 
numbered  Committee,  and  one  elder  for  the  Mileage  Committee. 

On  the  same  year,  each  even-numbered  section  shall  elect  one  minister 
for  each  even-numbered  Committee,  and  one  elder  for  each  odd-numbered 
Committee,  and  one  elder  for  the  Finance  Committee. 

On  the  even-numbered  years  this  order  shall  be  reversed. 

After  the  election  of  a  Moderator,  the  Permanent  Clerk  shall  report 
absentees  from  the  first  roll-call.      Vacancies  in  the  Electing  Sections 


986  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

may  then  be  filled  by  the  Assembly.  The  Stated  Clerk  shall  designate 
one  Commissioner  in  each  Section  to  receive  any  necessary  papers  for  the 
Section. 

The  members  of  each  Electing  Section  shall  be  seated  together  in  a 
compact  body.  Accordingly  each  Commissioner  shall  be  assigned  to  his 
seat  in  advance  of  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly  by  the  Committee  of 
Arrangements,  under  the  supervision  and  direction  of  the  Stated  Clerk, 
and  shall  occupy  such  pew  or  seat  from  the  beginning  of  the  first  session 
until  the  end  of  the  second  day. 

The  Electing  Sections  shall  meet  at  the  places  assigned  them  for  the 
purpose  of  selecting  members  of  the  Standing  Committees  at  the  close  of 
the  second  session  of  the  first  day,  provided  the  Assembly  adjourns  at  or 
before  five  o'clock ;  otherwise,  the  Assembly  shall  take  a  recess  promptly 
at  eleven  o'clock  of  the  second  day  and  the  Electing  Sections  shall  meet 
for  that  purpose  at  that  time. 

Reports  from  the  sections  shall  be  handed  to  the  Stated  Clerk  as  soon 
as  the  Electing  Sections  adjourn.  The  quorum  of  an  Electing  Section 
shall  be  the  same  in  number  as  the  quorum  of  the  Assembly,  viz.,  four- 
teen.—1900,  p.  131  ;  1901,  p.  164;   1903,  p.  90;  1904,  p.  96. 

2.  Time  of  existence  of  Electing  Sections. 

The  Electing  Sections  can  and  should  have  no  existence  until  the 
organization  of  the  Assembly. — 1901,  p.  164. 

3.  Each  Presbytery  to  be  represented. 

We  must  remind  the  Assembly  that  in  order  fairly  to  carry  out  the 
plan,  each  Presbytery  must  be  represented  on  some  Standing  Committee. 
—1901,  p.  164. 

4.  Details  of  operation  of  the  Plan. 

a.  The  Stated  Clerk  was  authorized  to  give  notice  to  the  Commissioners 
from  the  Presbyteries  of  their  places  in  the  Electing  Districts.  He  was  also 
authorized  to  assign  their  places  in  Electing  Districts  to  new  Presbyteries 
which  may  be  erected  during  the  intervals  of  the  meetings  of  the  Assembly, 
and  to  attend  to  other  details  connected  with  the  operation  of  the  plan. 

b.  The  Stated  Clerk  presented  a  Report  on  details  of  operation  of  the 
plan  adopted  by  the  Assembly  of  1900  for  the  election  of  Standing  Com- 
mittees, which  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

The  Stated  Clerk  was  appointed  by  the  last  Assembly  to  attend  to  the 
details  of  the  operation  of  the  plan  (see  Minutes,  1900,  p.  158).  To  put 
the  plan  into  operation  the  provisions  of  the  same  as  adopted  by  the 
Assembly  of  1900  have  been  printed  in  the  Manual  of  this  General 
Assembly,  pp.  100-102.  The  numbers  of  the  Electing  Districts  have  also 
been  printed  in  connection  with  the  names  of  Synods  or  Presbyteries  as 
they  appear  in  the  list  of  Commissioners  of  this  Assembly.  Further,  notice 
was  sent  by  mail  to  each  Commissioner,  specifying  the  Electing  District  or 
Section  with  which  he  was  connected,  and  indicating  the  Committees  for 
which  said  Section  was  empowered  to  elect  members. 

In  order  to  secure  prompt  organization  of  and  action  by  the  Electing 
Districts,  the  following  list  of  persons  to  receive  papers  is  respectfully  sub- 
mitted for  the  approval  of  the  Assembly.  —  1901,  p.  16;  1903.  p.  14,  etc. 

c.  The  Clerk  would  further  report  that  he  has  appointed  the  place  of 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    I.  987 

meetings  for  the  Sections,  which  will  be  read  immediately  afteraction  upon 
this  Report.— 1901,  p.  17. 

d.  Your  Committee  are  disposed  to  congratulate  the  Assembly  on  the 
smoothness  with  which  the  new  plan  for  electing  the  Standing  Committees 
was  put  into  operation.  The  Committees  have  been  doing  their  usual 
work  in  the  usual  way,  and  the  Assembly's  energy  and  efficiency  are  at 
least  not  inferior  to  previous  Assemblies.  The  faithful  preparations  of  the 
Stated  Clerk  in  notifying  each  Commissioner  of  the  number  of  his  Elect- 
ing Section,  and  of  the  Committeemen  to  be  chosen,  are  still  indispensable. 
We  must  remind  the  Assembly  that  in  order  fairly  to  carry  out  the  plan, 
each  Presbytery  must  be  represented  on  some  Standing  Committee.  The 
Electing  Sections  can  and  should  have  no  existence  until  the  organization 
of  the  Assembly.— 1901,  p.  164. 

5.  Arrangement  of  Electing  Districts.* 

a.  It  was  Ordered,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  by  the  Moderator, 
consisting  of  one  member  from  each  Synod,  to  arrange  the  electing  districts 
called  for  by  the  Plan  just  adopted.— 1900,  p.  131. 

b.  The  Committee  on  Electing  Districts  for  Standing  Committees  pre- 
sented its  Report,  which  was  accepted  and  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

The  language  of  the  Overture  seems  somewhat  indefinite  on  one  point. 
It  requires  that  the  General  Assembly  shall  be  divided  into  twenty-two 
Districts,  leaving  other  possible  interpretations.  We  understand  this 
language  to  mean  that  the  Presbyterian  Church  represented  by  this  Assem- 
bly shall  be  divided  into  Districts  for  the  purpose  mentioned,  according  to 
its  Synods  and  Presbyteries.  The  Overture  itself  recognizes  the  impossi- 
bility of  making  the  Districts  precisely  equal  in  the  number,  either  of 
communicants,  ministers,  or  Commissioners  to  this  Assembly  ;  but  we  have 
endeavored  to  secure  a  division  as  near  equality  as  possible.  As  a  basis 
of  representation  we  have  assumed  that  of  this  Assembly.  If  every  Pres- 
bytery were  represented  by  its  rightful  number  there  would  be  here  to-day 
666  Commissioners,  which  allows  thirty  for  each  one  of  the  twenty-two 
Districts,  with  a  small  fraction  remaining.  We  have,  therefore,  endeav- 
ored to  arrange  the  Districts  so  that  each  one,  as  nearly  as  possible,  should 
be  represented  in  this  Assembly  by  thirty  Commissioners. — 1900,  p.  156. 

c.  The  Stated  Clerk  was  authorized  to  assign  their  places  in  Electing 
Districts  to  new  Presbyteries. — 1900,  p.  158. 

d.  In  order  more  nearly  to  equalize  the  Electing  Sections,  we  recom- 
mend the  following  transfers  in  the  Sections  as  at  present  constituted. 
—1901,  p.  164. 

e.  The  following,  presented  by  the  Stated  Clerk,  with  reference  to 
the  assignment  of  new  Presbyteries  to  their  appropriate  electing  districts, 
was  referred  to  the  Stated  Clerk  and  the  Committee  on  Administrative 
Agencies  with  power : 

The  Stated  Clerk  respectfully  draws  attention  to  the  fact  that  he  is  re- 
quired by  the  Standing  Rules  of  the  General  Assembly  having  to  do  with 
the  election  of  the  members  of  Standing  Committees,  to  assign  their  places 
in  electing  districts  to  new  Presbyteries  which  may  be  erected  during  the 
intervals  of  the  meetings  of  the  Assembly.  He  submits  to  the  Assembly 
two  important  questions  connected  with  the  electing  districts,  to  one  of 
which  he  has  no  authoritative  relation  under  the  Rules. 

*  "  Electing  Districts"  are  composed  of  Presbyteries  ;  "  Electing  Sections,"  of  Com- 
missioners. 


988  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

1.  The  fact  that  114  Presbyteries  have  just  been  added  to  the  Roll  of 
the  General  Assembly,  and  should  be  assigned  to  their  appropriate  electing 
districts. 

2.  There  is  considerable  inequality  in  the  size  of  certain  of  the  electing 
districts,  for  instance,  electing  district  No.  13  having  but  twenty-six  Com- 
missioners and  electing  district  No.  19  having  forty  Commissioners.  This 
inequality  should  be  adjusted. — 1906,  p.  230. 

6.  Time  Allowance  of  Standing  Committees  for  Reports. 

Amendment  to  No.  7  of  the  Standing  Rules  and  Orders : 
7.  That  the  Standing  Committee  on  Home  and  Foreign  Missions  have 
each  two  hours,  and  those  on  Education,  Publication,  Church  Erection, 
Ministerial  Relief,  Freedmen,  Temperance,  and  Colleges  have  each  one 
and  a  half  hours ;  that  the  Chairman  of  the  Standing  Committees  on 
Home  Missions  and  Foreign  Missions  be  allowed  only  one-half  hour  for 
the  presenting  of  his  Report  and  such  remarks  as  he  may  wish  to  make, 
and  that  the  Chairman  of  other  Committees  be  allowed  twenty  minutes  for 
the  same  purpose;  that  the  Secretary  or  other  official  representative  of  the 
cause  be  allowed  one-half  hour  for  his  address  or  statement,  and  that  the 
remainder  of  the  time  allotted  be  assigned  to  Commissioners  and  to  agents 
from  the  field.  This  Rule  to  be  altered  only  by  direct  vote  of  the  Assem- 
bly. It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerk  to  communicate  this  Rule 
to  the  Chairmen  of  the  Standing  Committees  upon  their  appointment. — 
1905,  p.  110. 

7.   Standing  Committee  on  Home  Missions  to  report  on  Vacancy 

and  Supply. 

The  Board  of  Home  Missions  and  each  of  the  self-supporting  Synods 
through  the  Board,  shall  present  an  Annual  Report  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly on  Vacancy  and  Supply,  and  these  Reports  shall  be  referred  to  the 
Standing  Committee  on  Home  Missions. — 1905,  p.  109. 

8.  Standing  Committee  on  the  Narrative.    To  report  on  Special 

Committee's   Report. 

The  Committee  further  recommends,  in  connection  with  the  Annual 
Narrative  of  Christian  Life  and  Work,  that  the  Standing  Committee  on 
the  Narrative  hereafter  consider  and  report  upon  the  Report  of  the  Special 
Committee  on  the  same  subject. — 1906,  pp.  225,  226. 

9.  Standing  Committee  on  Synodical  Home  Missions  constituted. 

Overtures  Nos.  178  to  183,  from  the  Synods  of  Baltimore  and  five 
others,  asking  that  a  Standing  Committee  of  the  General  Assembly  be 
erected,  to  which  shall  be  referred  for  consideration  and  report  the  annual 
reports  of  the  so-called  self-sustaining  Synods  as  to  the  Home  Mission 
work  by  them  conducted.  We  recommend  that  such  a  Standing  Com- 
mittee be  constituted,  to  be  known  as  the  Committee  on  Synodical  Home 
Missions,  to  consider  and  report  on  the  Home  Mission  work  of  the  self-sus- 
taining Synods ;  that  such  Synods  be  and  they  hereby  are  directed  to 
make  annual  reports  to  the  Assembly  through  the  Stated  Clerk,  and  the 
Stated  Clerk  is  authorized  and  directed  to  make  the  appropriate  corrections 
and  changes  thereby  necessitated  in  the  Manual  and  Rules. — 1906,  p.  86. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    I.  989 

10.  Standing  Committee  on  Finance  to  Report  a  Budget  for 
the  Boards. 

The  following,  presented  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Standing  Committee 
on  Finance,  was  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  one  of  the  duties  of  the  Standing  Committee  on 
Finance  to  report  to  the  General  Assembly  with  which  it  is  connected,  the 
total  receipts  and  disbursements  of  each  of  the  Boards  and  Permanent 
Committees  of  the  Church,  with  a  view  to  the  presentation  to  the  Assem- 
bly of  the  financial  side  of  the  entire  benevolent  and  missionary  work  ; 
and  said  Committee  is  further  charged  with  the  duty  of  considering  and 
reporting  upon  to  its  Assembly,  the  appropriations  asked  for  by  each  of 
the  benevolent  and  missionary  Boards,  with  the  purpose  of  ascertaining 
what  the  entire  financial  demand  will  be  upon  the  Church  in  any  given 
year.  The  Finance  Committee  shall  make,  in  connection  with  these  new 
duties  assigned  it,  such  recommendations  as  to  it  may  seem  proper. — 1906, 
p.  212. 

VII.  SPECIAL  COMMITTEES. 

1.  Reports  to  be  delivered  to  the  Stated  Clerk  for  printing. 

All  Reports  of  Special  Committees  shall  be  delivered  to  the  Stated  Clerk 
thirty  days  prior  to  the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  shall  be 
printed  by  him  and  delivered  to  Commissioners  in  bound  form  on  the 
second  day  of  the  sessions. — 1897,  p.  144. 

2.  Expenses  of  Special  Committees. 

a.  Your  Committee,  when  seeking  for  the  authority  for  the  expenditure 
of  money  for  the  expenses  of  the  various  special  Committees  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  which  expenditure  in  the  aggregate  during  the  past  year 
has  amounted  to  $4274.47,  were  informed  by  the  Stated  Clerk  that  the 
only  authority  he  knew  of  was  the  "custom  of  the  past  years,"  and  the 
creation  of  the  Committees  by  the  Assembly,  While  such  authority  may 
be  sufficient  warrant  for  what  the  Stated  Clerk  has  heretofore  done  under 
it,  we  believe  that  hereafter,  for  his  protection,  the  General  Assembly 
ought  to  give  the  Stated  Clerk,  as  Treasurer,  positive  direction  for  all  ex- 
penditures for  every  such  Committea 

Therefore,  it  is  recommended,  That  the  General  Assembly,  whenever  it 
creates  or  continues  for  another  year  a  special  Committee,  definitely  state 
whether  the  expenses  of  said  Committee  are  to  be  paid  by  the  General 
Assembly  ;  and  when  they  are,  that  said  expenses  be  limited  to  the  actual 
traveling  expenses  of  the  members  of  the  Committee  incurred  by  attend- 
ance upon  the  regular  meetings  of  the  Committee  ;  and  that  if  any  print- 
ing is  to  be  done,  authority  be  given  to  pay  for  the  same.  In  this  con- 
nection the  Committee  desires  to  urge  upon  the  Assembly  the  importance 
of  restricting  the  number  and  size  of  these  special  Committees. — 1906, 
p.  209. 

b.  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  authorized  to  pay  the  actual  traveling  and 
entertainment  expenses  of  the  members  of  Special  Committees  appointed 
or  continued  by  this  General  Assembly,  incurred  by  attendance  upon  the 
regular  meetings  of  the  Committees,  said  expenses  to  be  kept  within  as 
low  a  limit  as  possible,  and  that  he  be  also  authorized  to  contract  for  the 
printing  of  their  Reports  to  the  Assembly  and  pay  the  bills  for  the  same. 
—1906,  p.  209. 


990  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

SECTION   IV. 

Judicial  Commissions  Appointed,  1898-1906 

Backus  Case.— 1898,  pp.  48,  94;  1899,  p.  51. 

Bercovitz  Case.— 1899,  pp.  61,  127. 

Boss  Case.— 1901,  pp.  77,  100,  170. 

Clinton  Case.— 1901,  pp.  88,  100,  140,  169. 

Dayton  Case.— 1901,  pp.  78,  148. 

Fleming  Case.— 1902,  pp.  75,  83,  114,  143. 

Lane  Case. — 1899,  pp.  51,  73,  95. 

MacCullough  Case.— 1898,  pp.  48,  94. 

Marsh  Case.— 1905,  pp.  86,  163. 

Massey  Case. — 1898,  p.  95. 

Patterson  Case.— 1900,  pp.  98,  108,  136. 

Pumphrey  Case. — 1898,  p.  95. 

Richter  Case.— 1903,  pp.  72,  79,  91. 

Riedy  Case.— 1899,  pp.  91,  127;  1903,  pp.  71,  80,  133. 

Taylor  Case.— 1899,  p.  127. 

Warszawiak  Case. —  1899,  p.  51. 

Williamsport  Case.— 1900,  pp.  100,  107,  154  ;  1902,  pp.  74,  83,  151. 

Woods  Case.— 1898,  pp.  48,  94. 

[See  also,  under  Synods,  this  Supplement,  p.  975.] 

2.  One  Assembly  cannot  criticize  another. 

Paper  No.  96,  being  a  Memorial  from  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore,  in 
which  protest  is  made  against  the  action  of  the  last  Assembly  in  dropping 
from  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  and  Union  the  names  of  [two 
members] . 

It  is  manifestly  improper  for  this  Assembly  to  take  action  in  criticism  of 
a  past  Assembly,  and  it  is  believed  the  purpose  of  the  Memorial  will  be 
served  by  its  being  read  in  presence  of  this  Assembly,  and  by  our  making 
record  of  our  conviction  that  no  reflection  was  intended  upon  the  zeal  and 
faithfulness  of  these  much-beloved  brethren. — Minutes,  1905,  p.  86. 

SECTION    V. 

I.  DELIVERANCES  ON  DOCTRINE. 

1.    Brief   Statement    of  the    Reformed   Faith.— Purpose.  * 

Concerning  the  Brief  Statement  of  the  Reformed  Faith  which  the 
Committee  was  directed  to  prepare  and  to  submit  to  this  Assembly,  we 
beg  to  say  that  this  has  been  by  far  the  most  difficult  task  assigned  to  us, 
and  that  it  has  occupied  the  greater  part  of  the  thirty  days  in  which  the 
Committee  has  been  actually  in  session.  The  Assembly's  instructions 
were  explicit,  and  yet  they  left  room  for  difference  of  view.  Apart  from 
the  direction  that  it  should  be  "brief"  and  "expressed  as  far  as  possible 
in  untechuical  terms,"  the  Committee  was  given  to  understand  the  kind 
of  statement  required  only  by  the  Assembly's  instructions  that  it  was 
"to  be  prepared  with  a  view  to  its  being  employed  to  give  information 
and  a  better  understanding  of  our  doctrinal  beliefs,  and  not  with  a  view 
to  its  becoming  a  substitute  for,  or  an  alternative  of,  our  Confession  of 
Faith."     These  instructions  are  both  positive  and  negative. 

*  See  for  Committee,  this  Digest,  p.  944. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP,    XII,    SECT.    V.  991 

The  Committee's  understanding  of  the  work  thus  enjoined  upon  it 
found  expression  in  the  following  resolution  which  appears  in  its  records, 
namely  : 

"Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  Committee  that  the  Brief  State- 
ment of  the  Reformed  Faith  which  the  Assembly  has  ordered  us  to 
prepare  should  be  made  with  the  view  to  inform  aud  enlighten  the  people 
in  regard  to  the  significance  and  religious  meaning  of  the  Reformed 
Faith,  and  not  with  the  view  of  becoming  a  test  of  orthodoxy  for  minis- 
ters, elders,  and  deacons." 

The  conception  of  the  design  of  the  statement  to  be  prepared,  as  thus 
presented,  has  influenced  our  action,  and,  as  far  as  it  could  be  so,  con- 
trolled our  conclusions.  In  this  work  few  precedents  were  within  reach. 
We  were  not  to  prepare  a  new  Confession  of  Faith,  or  merely  a  condensed 
compendium  of  our  doctrine,  or  a  new  standard  of  orthodoxy  ;  much  less 
a  standard  of  new  orthodoxy.  The  enjoined  brevity  made  necessary  the 
delicate  task  of  selection.  We  could  not  include  in  such  a  statement 
everything  we  hold  to  be  true,  nor,  on  the  other  hand,  could  we  confine 
ourselves  to  doctrines  distinctively  our  own.  Indeed,  many  of  our  most 
fundamental  and  vital  doctrines  we  hold  in  common  with  the  whole 
evangelical  Church  ;  and,  moreover,  what  is  peculiar  to  our  own  faith  is 
susceptible  neither  of  being  stated  nor  of  being  known  except  in  the  light 
of  what  we  thus  hold  in  common  with  other  communions.  Nor  could 
we  forget  that  the  intellect  is  not  the  only  organ  of  religious  perception 
and  knowledge.  We  must  avoid  reduplicating  in  principle,  even  though 
it  be  in  reduced  compass,  what  we  unquestionably  already  have.  The 
three  confessional  formulae  which  we  have  received  from  the  past,  and 
which  we  hold  in  veneration,  address  themselves,  primarily  and  predomi- 
nantly, to  the  logical  faculty,  and  in  a  way  that  is  preeminently  successful ; 
certainly,  then,  it  was  not  simply  another  symbol  framed  on  the  same 
organizing  principles  and  destined  to  be  inferior  to  them,  both  in  precision 
of  statement  and  in  systematic  excellence,  which  the  Assembly  had  in 
mind,  or  which  the  present  condition  of  the  Church  calls  for. 

Accordingly  we  have  endeavored  to  introduce  in  some  degree  into  our 
work  a  different  principle  of  expression  and  so  to  bring  out  more  plainly 
the  evangelical  aspects  of  our  faith.  We  have  aimed  to  connect  truth 
with  life,  and  to  give  to  our  doctrinal  elements  a  personal  reference.  We 
have  tried  to  make  the  Statement  not  intellectual  only,  but  also  devotional 
in  its  conception  and  form.  We  would  not  have  it  first  of  all  theological, 
although  we  have  constantly  endeavored  to  preserve  intact  the  substance 
of  the  truth  as  we  hold  it.  There  has  been  neither  desire  nor  disposition 
to  disobey  the  Assembly's  injunction  that  we  should  "in  no  way  impair 
the  integrity  of  the  system  of  doctrine  set  forth  in  our  Confession  and 
taught  in  the  Holy  Scripture." — 1902,  p.  91. 

2.  Brief  Statement  of  the  Reformed  Faith.— Text. 
Article  I.  Of  God. 
We  believe  in  the  ever-living  God,  who  is  a  Spirit,  and  the  Father  of 
our  spirits  ;  infinite,  eternal,  and  unchangeable  in  His  being  and  perfec- 
tions ;  the  Lord  Almighty,  most  just  in  all  His  ways,  most  glorious  in 
holiness,  unsearchable  in  wisdom  and  plenteous  in  mercy,  full  of  love  and 
compassion,  and  abundant  in  goodness  and  truth.  We  worship  Him, 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit,  three  persons  in  one  Godhead,  one  in  sub- 
stance and  equal  in  power  and  glory. — 1902,  p.  93. 


992  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

Article  II.     Of  Revelation. 

We  believe  that  God  is  revealed  in  nature,  in  history,  and  in  the  heart 
of  man  ;  that  He  has  made  gracious  and  clearer  revelatious  of  Himself 
to  Men  of  God  who  spoke  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Spirit ;  and 
that  Jesus  Christ,  the  Word  made  flesh,  is  the  brightness  of  the  Father's 
glory  and  the  express  image  of  His  person.  We  gratefully  receive  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  given  by  inspiration,  to  be  the  faithful  record  of  God's 
gracious  revelations  and  the  sure  witness  to  Christ,  as  the  Word  of  God, 
the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  life. 

Article  III.     Of  the  Eternal  Purpose. 

We  believe  that  the  eternal,  wise,  holy,  and  loving  purpose  of  God 
embraces  all  events,  so  that  while  the  freedom  of  man  is  not  taken  away 
nor  is  God  the  author  of  sin,  yet  in  His  providence  He  makes  all  things 
work  together  in  the  fulfillment  of  His  sovereign  design  and  the  manifes- 
tation of  His  glory  ;  wherefore,  humbly  acknowledging  the  mystery  of 
this  truth,  we  trust  in  His  protecting  care  and  set  our  hearts  to  do  His 
will. 

Article  IV.     Of  the  Creation. 

We  believe  that  God  is  the  creator,  upholder,  and  governor  of  all 
things  ;  that  He  is  above  all  His  works  and  in  them  all ;  and  that  He 
made  man  in  His  own  image,  meet  for  fellowship  with  Him,  free  and  able 
to  choose  between  good  and  evil,  and  forever  responsible  to  his  Maker 
and  Lord. 

Article  V.      Of  the  Sin  of  Man. 

We  believe  that  our  first  parents,  being  tempted,  chose  evil,  and  so  fell 
away  from  God  and  came  under  the  power  of  sin,  the  penalty  of  which  is 
eternal  death  ;  and  we  confess  that,  by  reason  of  this  disobedience,  we 
and  all  men  are  born  with  a  sinful  nature,  that  we  have  broken  God's 
law,  and  that  no  man  can  be  saved  but  by  His  grace. 

Article  VI.     Of  the  Grace  of  God. 

We  believe  that  God,  out  of  His  great  love  for  the  world,  has  given 
His  only  begotten  Son  to  be  the  Saviour  of  sinners,  and  in  the  Gospel 
freely  offers  His  all-sufficient  salvation  to  all  men.  And  we  praise  Him 
for  the  unspeakable  grace  wherein  He  has  provided  a  way  of  eternal  life 
for  all  mankind. 

Article  VII.     Of  Election. 

We  believe  that  God,  from  the  beginning,  in  His  own  good  pleasure, 
gave  to  His  Son  a  people,  an  innumerable  multitude,  chosen  in  Christ 
unto  holiness,  service,  and  salvation  ;  we  believe  that  all  who  come  to 
years  of  discretion  can  receive  this  salvation  only  through  faith  and 
repentance  ;  and  we  believe  that  all  who  die  in  infancy,  and  all  others 
given  by  the  Father  to  the  Son  who  are  beyond  the  reach  of  the  outward 
means  of  grace,  are  regenerated  and  saved  by  Christ  through  the  Spirit, 
who  works  when  and  where  and  how  He  pleases. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  993 

Article  VIII.     Of  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

We  believe  in  and  confess  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  only  Mediator 
between  God  and  man,  who,  being  the  Eternal  Son  of  God,  for  us  men 
and  for  our  salvation  became  truly  man,  being  conceived  by  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  without  sin  ;  unto  us  He  has  revealed 
the  Father,  by  His  Word  and  Spirit  making  known  the  perfect  will  of 
God;  for  us  He  fulfilled  all  righteousness  and  satisfied  eternal  justice, 
offering  Himself  a  perfect  sacrifice  upon  the  cross  to  take  away  the  sin  of 
the  world  ;  for  us  He  rose  from  the  dead  and  ascended  into  heaven,  where 
He  ever  intercedes  for  us ;  in  our  hearts,  joined  to  Him  by  faith,  He 
abides  forever  as  the  indwelling  Christ  ;  over  us,  and  over  all  for  us,  He 
rules :  wherefore,  unto  Him  we  render  love,  obedience,  and  adoration  as 
our  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King  forever. 

Article  IX.     Of  Faith  and  Repentance. 

We  believe  that  God  pardons  our  sins  and  accepts  us  as  righteous 
solely  on  the  ground  of  the  perfect  obedience  and  sacrifice  of  Christ, 
received  by  faith  alone  ;  and  that  this  saving  faith  is  always  accompanied 
by  repentance,  wherein  we  confess  and  forsake  our  sins  with  full  purpose 
of,  and  endeavor  after,  a  new  obedience  to  God. 

Article  X.     Of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

We  believe  in  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  Lord  and  Giver  of  Life,  who  moves 
everywhere  upon  the  hearts  of  men,  to  restrain  them  from  evil  and  to 
incite  them  unto  good,  and  whom  the  Father  is  ever  willing  to  give  unto 
all  who  ask  Him.  We  believe  that  He  has  spoken  by  holy  men  of  God 
in  making  known  His  truth  to  men  for  their  salvation  ;  that,  through  our 
exalted  Saviour,  He  was  sent  forth  in  power  to  convict  the  world  of  sin, 
to  enlighten  men's  minds  in  the  knowledge  of  Christ,  and  to  persuade 
and  enable  them  to  obey  the  call  of  the  Gospel ;  and  that  He  abides  with 
the  Church,  dwelling  in  every  believer  as  the  spirit  of  truth,  of  holiness, 
and  of  comfort. 

Article  XL     Of  the  New  Birth  and  the  New  Life. 

We  believe  that  the  Holy  Spirit  only  is  the  author  and  source  of  the 
new  birth  ;  we  rejoice  in  the  new  life,  wherein  He  is  given  unto  us  as  the 
seal  of  sonsbip  in  Christ,  and  keeps  loving  fellowship  with  us,  helps  us  in 
our  infirmities,  purges  us  from  our  faults,  and  ever  continues  His  trans- 
forming work  in  us  until  we  are  perfected  in  the  likeness  of  Christ,  in  the 
glory  of  the  life  to  come. 

Article    XII.      Of   the   Resurrection  and  the  Life   to  Come. 

We  believe  that  in  the  life  to  come  the  spirits  of  the  just,  at  death 
made  free  from  sin,  enjoy  immediate  communion  with  God  and  the 
vision  of  His  glory  ;  and  we  confidently  look  for  the  general  resurrection 
in  the  last  day,  when  the  bodies  of  those  who  sleep  in  Christ  shall  be 
fashioned  in  the  likeness  of  the.  glorious  body  of  their  Lord,  with  whom 
they  shall  live  and  reign  forever. 
63 


994  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

Article  XIII.     Of  the  Law  of  God. 

We  believe  that  the  law  of  God,  revealed  in  the  Ten  Commandments, 
and  more  clearly  disclosed  in  the  words  of  Christ,  is  forever  established 
in  truth  and  equity,  so  that  no  human  work  shall  abide  except  it  be  built 
on  this  foundation.  We  believe  that  God  requires  of  every  man  to  do 
justly,  to  love  mercy,  and  to  walk  humbly  with  his  God  ;  and  that  only 
through  this  harmony  with  the  will  of  God  shall  be  fulfilled  that  brother- 
hood of  man  wherein  the  kingdom  of  God  is  to  be  made  manifest. 

Article  XIV.     Of  the  Church  and  the  Sacraments. 

We  believe  in  the  Holy  Catholic  Church,  of  which  Christ  is  the  only 
Head.  We  believe  that  the  Church  Invisible  consists  of  all  the  redeemed, 
and  that  the  Church  Visible  embraces  all  who  profess  the  true  religion 
together  with  their  children.  We  receive  to  our  communion  all  who  con- 
fess and  obey  Christ  as  their  divine  Lord  and  Saviour,  and  we  hold  fellow- 
ship with  all  believers  in  Him. 

We  receive  the  sacraments  of  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper,  alone 
divinely  established  and  committed  to  the  Church,  together  with  the 
AVord,  as  means  of  grace ;  made  effectual  only  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  and 
always  to  be  used  by  Christians  with  prayer  and  praise  to  God. 

Article  XV.     Of  the  Last  Judgment. 

We  believe  that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  will  come  again  in  glorious 
majesty  to  judge  the  world  and  to  make  a  final  separation  between  the 
righteous  and  the  wicked.  The  wicked  shall  receive  the  eternal  award 
of  their  sins,  and  the  Lord  will  manifest  the  glory  of  His  mercy  in  the 
salvation  of  His  people  and  their  entrance  upon  the  full  enjoymeut  of 
eternal  life. 

Article  XVI.     Of  Christian  Service  and  the  Final 
Triumph. 

We  believe  that  it  is  our  duty,  as  servants  and  friends  of  Christ,  to  do 
good  unto  all  men,  to  maintain  the  public  and  private  worship  of  God, 
to  hallow  the  Lord's  Day,  to  preserve  the  sanctity  of  the  family,  to  uphold 
the  just  authority  of  the  State,  and  so  to  live  in  all  honesty,  purity,  and 
charity,  that  our  lives  shall  testify  of  Christ.  We  joyfully  receive  the 
word  of  Christ,  bidding  His  people  go  into  all  the  world  and  make 
disciples  of  all  nations,  and  declare  unto  them  that  God  was  in  Christ 
reconciling  the  world  unto  Himself,  and  that  He  will  have  all  men  to  be 
saved  and  to  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.  We  confidently  trust 
that  by  His  power  and  grace,  all  His  enemies  and  ours  shall  be  finally 
overcome,  and  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  shall  be  made  the  kingdom  of 
our  God  and  of  His  Christ.  In  this  faith  we  abide  ;  in  this  service  we 
labor  ;  and  in  this  hope  we  pray, 

Even  so,  come,  Lord  Jesus. 


FORM   OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.  V.  995 

II.  PASTORAL  DELIVERANCES. 

1.  Deliverance  on  the  Bible  and  the  Public  Schools. 

a.  This  Assembly  expresses  its  regret  that  confusion  should  have  been 
introduced  into  the  practice  regarding  the  use  of  the  Bible  in  our  public 
schools,  by  reason  of  the  inconsistent  decisions  by  the  Courts  and  the 
varying  interpretations  given  by  school  authorities  in  different  places  of 
practically  the  same  constitutional  and  statutory  provisions,  and  the 
Assembly  advises  the  officers  and  people  of  the  Churches  of  the  [Presby- 
terian] Alliance  in  this  country,  that  they  should  seek  to  exert  a  prudent 
Christian  influence  upon  public  sentiment  in  their  respective  localities 
upon  this  subject. — 1904,  p.  180. 

b.  This  Assembly  expresses  its  judgment  that  moral  instruction  and 
ethical  training  are  necessary  for  good  citizenship,  and  should  have  a 
place  in  our  Public  School  System,  and  that  this  is  possible  without  in- 
culcating any  denominational  tenets;  and  further,  expresses  its  judgment 
that  the  Bible  is  the  very  best  instrument  to  impart  this  moral  instruction 
and  training,  in  connection  with  our  public  schools. — 1904,  p.  180. 

2.  Deliverance  on  Religious  Liberty  in  the  Philippines. 

1.  That  we  rejoice  in  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States  of  America  which  are  designed  to  aid  in  the  promotion  of  religious 
liberty. 

2.  That  we  understand  that  the  relation  of  the  Federal  Government 
of  the  United  States  to  religious  work  in  the  Philippine  Islands  and  Porto 
Rico  is  and  ought  to  be  one  of  absolute  impartiality  between  different 
religious  denominations,  and  of  helpfulness  in  establishing  full  religious 
liberty,  limited,  however,  by  the  qualification  that  no  religious  practices 
should  be  tolerated  which  are  recognized  by  the  general  consent  of  the 
Christian  world  in  modern  times  as  proper  matters  for  prohibitory  legisla- 
tion.—1904,  p.  181. 

3.  Action  against  the  use  of  public  funds  for  sectarian  purposes. 

In  view  of  the  increasing  sentiment  in  this  country  against  the  use  of 
public  funds  for  sectarian  purposes,  either  in  State  or  nation,  and  in  view 
of  the  present  pending  legislation  on  this  subject  in  Congress,  therefore 
be  it 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
in  session  May  26,  1906,  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  most  earnestly  and  respect- 
fully petitions  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  to  refuse  any  appropria- 
tions of  public  moneys  for  sectarian  purposes. — 1906,  pp.  211,  212. 

III.  OF  ERECTING,  CHANGING,  AND  DISMISSING  SYNODS,  AND 
OF  THE  APPROVAL  OF  UNION  PRESBYTERIAN  SYNODS  IN 
FOREIGN  LANDS. 

1.  Synods  erected  since  1898. 

[Note  this  Supplement,  p.^971,  for  names,  etc.,  of  new  Synods,  viz., 
Florida,  West  Kwantung,  and  West  Virginia.] 


996  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

2.  Legal  successor  to  a  Synod  designated. 

The  Committee  recommend  the  passage  of  the  following  act  by  the 
General  Assembly  : 

It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  U.  S.  A.,  in  session  at  Winona  Lake,  Ind.,  on  May  28,  1898,  that 
the  Synod  of  Central  and  Southern  China  be  and  hereby  is  declared  to 
be  the  legal  successor  of  the  Synod  of  China,  and  that  all  the  records, 
papers,  and  other  legal  documents  connected  with  the  said  Synod  of  China 
be  and  hereby  are  transferred  to  the  care,  custody,  and  official  control  of 
the  said  Synod  of  Central  and  Southern  China. — 1898,  p.  133. 

3.  Churches  transferred  from  one  Synod  to  another. 

a.  That  the  request  of  the  Synod  of  Indian  Territory,  that  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Mena,  Ark.,  in  the  Presbytery  of  Choctaw,  of 
said  Synod,  be  transferred  to  the  Presbytery  of  Ozark,  Synod  of  Missouri, 
be  granted.  The  Committee  states  that  while  no  formal  action  of  the 
Synod  of  Missouri  on  the  subject  was  presented  to  it,  yet  satisfactory 
evidence  was  presented  to  show  that  some  action  approving  of  the  pro- 
posed change  had  been  adopted. — 1901,  p.  90. 

b.  "  The  Synod  of  Colorado  begs  leave  to  call  the  attention  of  the  next 
General  Assembly  to  the  fact  that  by  the  action  of  the  last  General 
Assembly,  as  recorded  on  page  177  of  the  published  Minutes,  there  are 
certain  sections  of  the  State  of  Wyoming  which  belong  to  the  two  Synods 
of  Colorado  and  Utah  respectively,  and  to  three  Presbyteries,  Wyom- 
ing, Utah,  and  Kendall.  The  Synod  of  Colorado  overtures  the  General 
Assembly  to  take  such  action  as  will  properly  locate  the  churches  of 
Evanston  and  Cokeville." 

Your  Committee  recommend  that  the  churches  of  Evanston  and  Coke- 
ville be  transferred  to  and  placed  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Wyoming,  in  the  Synod  of  Colorado,  since  they  are  geographically  within 
the  bounds  of  that  Presbytery.— 1905,  p.  205. 

c.  The  Committee  has  had  before  it  Overture  No.  54,  from  the  Synod 
of  Washington,  with  the  certificate  of  the  concurrence  of  the  Synod  of 
Oregon  therein,  on  the  boundaries  of  said  Synods  ;  and  also  Overture 
No.  214,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Puget  Sound,  asking  for  the  creation  of 
a  new  Presbytery,  containing  churches  some  of  which  now  belong  to 
the  Synod  of  Washington  and  some  to  the  Synod  of  Oregon.  The  Gen- 
eral Assembly  adopts  the  following  Enabling  Act,  to  wit :  Be  it  enacted, 
1.  That  the  boundaries  of  the  Synods  of  Oregon  and  Washington  be 
changed  by  taking  from  the  former  and  adding  to  the  latter  the  part  of 
the  Synod  of  Oregon,  as  at  present  constituted,  which  lies  within  the 
boundaries  of  the  State  of  Washington. — 1901,  p.  89. 

4.  Action  on  the  Independent  Synod  of  Mexico. 

Overtures  Nos.  56,  57,  and  223,  from  the  Presbyteries  of  Zacatecas, 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  City  of  Mexico,  located  in  the  Republic  of  Mexico, 
and  at  present  in  connection  with  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  asking  that 
these  three  Presbyteries  be  allowed  to  unite  with  the  Presbytery  of 
Mexico,  at  present  in  correspondence  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
the  United  States  (known  as  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church),  and 
together  constitute  themselves  into  an  independent  Synod  of  Mexico  ;  it 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  997 

being  understood  that  this  proposition  is  unanimously  favored  by  the 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  and  that  it  is  in  entire  harmony  with  the 
settled  policy  of  the  Foreign  Board  concerning  missions  in  foreign  lands, 
which  policy  has  been  already  approved  by  the  General  Assembly. 

It  is  also  to  be  understood  that  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  will  still 
continue  its  supervision  over  the  missions  in  Mexico.  It  is  further 
understood  that  corresponding  relations  will  be  continued  between  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America  and  the  proposed  Synod  of  Mexico.  The  petition  also  gives 
assurance  that  the  Standards  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America  shall  be  adopted  as  the  Standards  of  the  Synod  of 
Mexico,  and  that  the  Form  of  Government  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  United  States  of  America  shall  be  the  Form  of  Government  of  the 
Synod  of  Mexico. 

Your  Committee  therefore  recommends  that  the  petition  of  the  Pres- 
byteries of  Zacatecas,  City  of  Mexico,  and  Gulf  of  Mexico,  be  granted. 
We  also  recommend  that  the  Moderator  of  this  General  Assembly  appoint 
a  Commission  of  not  less  than  five,  who  shall  represent  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America 
at  the  organization  of  the  Synod  of  Mexico,  at  such  time  and  place  as 
may  suit  the  convenience  of  all  concerned.  This  Commission  shall  pro- 
vide for  its  own  expenses. — 1901,  p.  118. 

5.  The   Synod   of  India  dismissed  to   unite  with  the   Presbyterian 
Church   in   India. 

a.  Overtures  Nos.  28  to  32,  from  the  Synod  of  India,  and  from  the 
Presbyteries  of  Lodiana,  Furrukhabad,  Lahore,  and  Allahabad,  asking 
that  permission  be  granted  the  Synod  to  unite  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  India.  These  overtures  contemplate  the  establishment  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  India,  by  the  represen- 
tatives of  the  following  Churches  :  1,  The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Ire- 
land ;  2,  The  Established  Church  of  Scotland ;  3,  The  Presbyterian  Church 
in  England  ;  4,  The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  ; 
5,  The  Gopalgunge  Presbyterian  Mission  in  Bengal ;  6,  The  United  Free 
Church  of  Scotland  ;  7,  The  Welsh  Calvinistic  Methodist  Church  ;  8,  The 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Canada ;  and  9,  The  Reformed  Dutch  Church, 
now  united  with  the  South  India  Synod. 

Of  these  churches  the  proposed  union  has  been  approved  by  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Ireland,  the  Established  Church  of  Scotland  condi- 
tionally, the  Gopalgunge  Mission,  and  the  South  India  United  Church  ; 
and  in  the  Minutes  of  our  General  Assembly  for  1903,  page  170,  "it  was 
ordered  that  record  be  made  of  the  Assembly's  approval  of  the  union  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  India."  The  Committee  recommends  that  the 
request  be  granted  and  that  the  Assembly  enact  as  follows :  That  the 
Synod  of  India,  with  its  component  Presbyteries,  be  dismissed  to  unite  with 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  India,  said  dismission  to  take  effect  when  the 
Synod  is  received  into  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  India. — 1904,  p.  178. 

b.  A  letter  has  been  received  from  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  late  Synod 
of  India,  stating  that  the  said  Synod,  with  its  Presbyteries,  was  received 
into  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  India,  December  19,  1904.  The  action 
of  the  Assembly  of  1904,  directing  the  dismission  of  this  Synod  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  India  has,  therefore,  been  completed. — 1905,  p.  214. 


998  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 


6.  Union  Synod  in  China  approved  and  Synods  dismissed  to  unite 

therewith. 

a.  This  Assembly  heartily  approves  of  the  movement  toward  the  union 
of  the  Presbyterian  bodies  in  China,  provided  only  it  can  be  consummated 
under  conditions  acceptable  to  our  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  and  to  this- 
Assembly.— 1904,  p.  220. 

In  the  two  matters  of  Overtures  Nos.  260  and  285,  from  the  Synods 
of  West  Kwang  Tung  and  Central  and  Southern  China,  requesting  to 
be  set  aside  that  they  may  unite  with  the  Union  Synod  of  China,  the 
Committee  recommends  the  adoption  of  the  following  : 

Resolved,   1.  Tbat  the  General    Assembly,   completing   its   action    of 

1904,  approves  the  formation  of  the  Union  Synod  of  China,  in  which 
the  various  Presbyterian  bodies  in  China  propose  to  unite,  for  the  purpose 
of  forming  the  "  Presbyterian  Church  in  China." 

While  the  Assembly  regrets  the  consequent  separation  from  the  mother 
Church  of  the  beloved  and  faithful  brethren  who  under  God  have  built 
up  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ  in  the  Empire  of  China,  it  can  but  offer 
its  heartiest  congratulations  to  the  new  Church  and  its  prayers  and  best 
wishes  for  God's  richest  blessings  on  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  China. 

Resolved,  2.  That  in  accordance  with  the  request  of  Overture  No.  260 
the  Synod  of  West  Kwang  Tung,  with  the  exception  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Manila,  be  set  aside  to  unite  with  the  Union  Synod  of  China. 

Resolved,  3.  That  the  Presbytery  of  Manila,  on  the  consummation  of 
this  union,  be  transferred  to  the  Synod  of  Kansas. 

Resolved,  4.  That  the  Synod  of  Central  and  Southern  China  be  set 
aside  to  unite  with  the  Union  Synod  of  China  as  requested. 

Resolved,  5.  That  the  Synod  of  North  China,  from  which  no  formal 
overture  has  been  received,  be  granted  permission  to  unite  with  said 
Union  Synod  of  China,  in  case  it  so  desires. — 1906,  p.  102. 

7.  Union  Presbyterian  Church  in  Korea  approved. 

8.  That  the  Assembly  record  its  approval  of  the  plan  to  organize  in 
Korea  a  Union  Presbyterian  Church,  in  conjunction  with  the  missionaries 
and  Korean  Christians  connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
U.  S.  (commonly  known  as  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church ),  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Canada,  and  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Australia, 
and  that  the  missionaries  of  our  Church  in  Korea  be  and  hereby  are 
authorized  to  unite  with  the  missionaries  and  Korean  Christians  of  any 
or  all  of  the  other  Churches  named  in  all  necessary  steps  to  this  end. — 

1905,  p.  124. 

IV.   OF  ERECTING  AND  CHANGING  PRESBYTERIES. 
1.  Presbyteries  erected  on  Mission  Fields. 

a.  Presbytery  of  Nanking,  on  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Shang- 
hai, attached  to  the  Synod  of  Central  and  Southern  China. — 1899,  p.  109. 

b.  Presbytery  of  Yukon,  on  petition  from  six  ministers.  Ordered  "to 
meet  in  such  place  and  at  such  time  as  may  suit  their  convenience  as  said 
Presbytery  ;  the  Kev.   S.   Hall  Young  to  act  as  Moderator,  until  a  Mod- 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  999 

erator  be  elected,  or  in  his  absence  the  oldest  minister  present ;  the  Pres- 
bytery to  be  enrolled  in  the  Synod  of  Washington." 

c.  Presbytery  of  Manila.  Connected  with  the  Synod  of  Central  and 
Southern  China.— 1903,  p.  120. 

d.  Presbytery  of  Havana.  Placed  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Synod  of  New  Jersey.— 1904,  p.  178. 

2.  Presbyteries  erected  on  the  Home  Field. 

a.  Wheeling,  constituted  out  of  the  ministers  and  churches  in  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Washington,  located  in  the  State  of  West  Virginia. — 1904,  p. 
181. 

[Note. — See  Synod  of  West  Virginia,  this  Supplement,  p.  971.] 

b.  West  Florida.— 1906,  p.  196. 
[Note.— See  Synod  of  Florida,  p.  973.] 

3.  Presbyteries  transferred  from  one  Synod  to  another. 

a.  That  the  Presbytery  of  Manila  (Synod  of  West  Kwang  Tung)  be 
transferred  to  the  Synod  of  Kansas. — 1906,  p.  102. 

b.  That  the  Presbytery  of  Havana  be  detached  from  the  Synod  of  New 
Jersey  and  annexed  to  the  Synod  of  Florida. — 1906,  p.  196. 

4.  A  Presbytery  divided  in  order  to  form  a  Synod. 

That  the  Presbytery  of  Washington  be  and  hereby  is  divided  on  the 
State  line,  and  that  those  ministers  which  now  belong  to  the  Presbytery  of 
Washington,  that  are  in  the  State  of  West  Virginia,  constitute  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Wheeling.— 1904,  p.  181. 

5.  A  Presbytery  formed  out  of  Churches  in  two  Synods. 

That  a  new  Presbytery  be  and  is  hereby  erected,  embracing  ministers 
and  churches  in  the  three  counties  of  Kittitas,  Yakima,  and  Klikitat,  in 
the  State  of  Washington,  to  be  known  as  the  Presbytery  of  Central 
Washington.— 1901,  p.  89. 

[Note. — Certain  of  the  churches  were  in  the  Synod  of  Oregon  prior  to  Assembly 
action.     See  this  Supplement,  p.  996.] 

6.  Ministers  dismissed  to  form  new  Presbyteries. 

[Note.— See  this  Supplement,  pp.  966,  967.] 

7.  Committee  on  Home  Missions  appointed  in  a  new  Presbytery. 

4.  That  to  care  for  the  home  mission  work  within  the  bounds  of  the 
new  Presbytery  (Central  Washington),  until  it  can  be  legally  coustituted, 
the  following  are  appointed  a  Committee  on  Home  Missions  :  Rev.  James 
M.  Thompson,  Chairman ;  Ministers — David  Blythe  and  Frank  L.  Hay- 
den,  D.D.  ;  Elders — W.  CT  Dudley  and  Hugh  Sinclair.  Adopted. — 
1901,  p.  89. 


1000  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

V.   TO  CORRESPOND    WITH  FOREIGN  CHURCHES. 

I.    CHURCHES    IN    GENERAL. 

Names,  etc.,  of  churches  in  correspondence. 

[The  following  churches  have  been  in  correspondence  with  the  General  As- 
sembly since  1897,  either  by  delegates,  letters,  or  telegrams.  Brief  reference 
is  made  in  each  case  to  the  form  of  correspondence.  The  details  of  move- 
ments for  Federation,  etc.,  will  be  found  in  this  Supplement,  p.  1005.] 

Australia,  Presbyterian  Church  of — letter,  1906,  pp.  231,  257. 

Bulgaria,  Evangelical  Church  of,  1904,  p.  104. 

Canada,  Presbyterian  Church  in,  1904,  p.  163. 

Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.    [See  this  Supplement,  pp.  916-941.] 

England,  Presbyterian  Church  in — letters,  1905,  p.  213  ;  1906,  pp. 
87,  152,  198,  256. 

Evangelical  Lutheran  Church — delegates,  1900,  pp.  145,  146  ;  1905, 
pp.  11,  162 ;  1906,  pp.  11,  154,  198,  199  ;  letters,  1900,  pp.  145,  179,  180. 

France,  Free  Evangelical  Churches  of — delegate,  1904,  pp.  11,  104; 
1905,  pp.  11,  149. 

Hungary,  Reformed  Church  in — letters,  1901,  pp.  195,  196;  1904, 
pp.  98,  187,  203  ;  deputation,  1904,  p.  203. 

India,  Presbyterian  Church  of — delegates,  1906,  p.  199. 

Ireland,  Presbyterian  Church  in — delegates,  1906,  p.  198 ;  letters, 
1905,  p.  213  ;  1906,  p.  253. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church— delegates,  1900,  pp.  24,  29,  55  ;  1902, 
pp.  142,  144,  171  ;  1906,  pp.  154,  198,  199;  letter,  1902,  p.  192;  tele- 
grams, 1900,  pp.  24,  26  ;  1904,  pp.  46,  56. 

Mexico,  Presbyterian  Church  in — delegates,  1902,  p.  144;  1903,  p. 
11  ;  1906,  pp.  11,  154,  198,  199  ;  telegram,  1905,  p.  85. 

Moravian  Synod,  1903,  p.  150. 

Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.— telegrams,  1899,  pp,  32,  36  ;  1900, 
p.  45;  1901,  p.  20;  1902,  p.  43;  1903,  pp.  43,  44;  1904,  p.  50;  1905, 
p.  70  ;  1906,  p.  33. 

Protestant  Episcopal  Church — letter,  1902,  pp.  47,  125. 

Reformed   (Dutch)    Church    in    America — delegates,    1899,   p.    118 ; 

1900,  pp.   145,   146;  1901,  p.   11  ;  1902,  pp.  143,  144,  171  ;  1906,  pp. 
11,   154,   198,  199;  letters,   1898,  pp.   118,   153;  1900,  pp,   145,   178; 

1901,  p.  193  ;  1902,  p.  191  ;  1904,  p.  187. 

Reformed  Episcopal  Church— delegates,  1899,  pp.  90,  94,  118  ;  1902, 
pp.  143,  144,  171 ;  letters,  1901,  pp.  169,  194  ;  telegram,  1906,  p.  37. 

Reformed    (German)    Church   in  the  U.   S. — delegates,  1899,  pp.  11, 
20,  21,  90,  118  ;  1900,  pp.  145,  179  ;  1904,  p.  104  ;  1906,  pp.  11,   154, 
198,  199  ;  telegrams,  1905,  pp.  108,  126  ;  1906,  p.  81. 
Virginia  Classis — telegram,  1906,  p.  85. 

Reformed  Presbvterian  Church,  General  Svnod — letter,  1902,  p.  192. 

Scotland,  Church  of— letter,  1905,  p.  213  ;  delegate,  1906,  p.  198. 

Scotland,  United  Free  Church  of— letters,  1901,  pp.  171,  172. 

United  Brethren — telegram,  1901,  p.  42. 

United  Presbyterian  Church— delegates,  1900,  p.  146;  1904,  p.  187  ; 
telegrams,  1900,  pp.  135,  166  ;  1901,  pp.  119,  149  ;  1906,  p.  185. 

Waldensian  Church — delegate,  1904,  p.  205  ;  1905,  p.  162  ;  corres- 
pondence, 1906,  pp.  87,  152,  200. 

Wales,  Presbyterian  Church  of— letters,  1905,  p.  213  ;  1906,  pp.  87, 
152,  198,  255. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1001 

II.    THE    WORLD    PRESBYTERIAN    ALLIANCE. 

1.  Action  as  to  the  Seventh  General  Council. 

The  General  Assembly  hear  with  pleasure  of  the  continued  work  of 
the  Alliance  of  the  Reformed  Churches  holding  the  Presbyterian  System, 
and  especially  of  its  marked  influence  in  the  interests  of  international 
arbitration.  We  cordially  reiterate  our  interest  in  the  plan  and  purpose 
of  this  Alliance,  and  call  the  attention  of  our  people  to  the  Seventh 
General  Council  to  be  held  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  September  27  to  Oc- 
tober 6,  1899,  prayiug  that  its  influence  may  be  blessed  to  the  more  inti- 
mate fellowship  and  cooperation  of  the  Churches  thus  affiliated,  and  to 
the  more  evident  emphasis  in  the  whole  Church  of  Christ  of  the  Master's 
prayer,  "That  they  all  may  be  one."— 1899,  p.  54;  1900,  pp.  145,  146. 

2.  The  Work  of  the  Alliance  approved. 

We  recommend  that  this  General  Assembly  express  its  gratification  at 
the  far-reaching  and  valuable  work  of  the  Alliance  in  uniting  the  Pres- 
byterian family  of  Churches  throughout  the  world  in  a  closer  bond  of 
sympathy,  loyalty,  and  service. — 1902,  p.  173. 

3.   Committee  appointed  to  nominate  delegates  to  the  Eighth  General 

Council. 

a.  That  in  anticipation  of  the  meeting  of  the  Eighth  General  Council 
of  the  Alliance  in  Liverpool,  England,  in  the  summer  of  1904,  the  fol- 
lowing persons  be  appointed,  in  pursuance  of  precedents  in  this  matter,  as 
delegates  from  this  Church  to  that  Council,  and  that  they  constitute  a 
Committee  to  nominate  the  full  list  of  representatives  in  that  Council,  to 
be  reported  to  the  General  Assembly  of  1903,  viz.  :  The  Moderator  of 
this  Assembly  ;  the  Stated  Clerk,  Rev.  William  Henry  Roberts,  D.D.  ; 
the  Permanent  Clerk,  Rev.  William  B.  Noble,  D.D.  ;  Rev.  Henry  Collin 
Minton,  D.D.,  the  retiring  Moderator  of  this  Assembly,  with  the  Rev. 
David  R.  Kerr,  D.D,  the  Rev.  James  D.  Moffat,  D.D.,  Gen.  Ralph  E. 
Prime,  and  Hon.  William  M.  Lanning. — 1902,  p.  74. 

b.  The  Committee  further  states  that  the  appointment  of  delegates  was 
made  on  the  basis  of  the  comparative  strength  of  the  several  Synods, 
care  being  taken  to  secure  the  representation  of  every  portion  of  the 
Church. 

The  Committee  recommends  that  its  appointments,  both  of  principals 
and  alternates,  herewith  submitted,  be  confirmed,  and  also  that,  in  accord- 
ance with  past  usage,  the  Moderator  for  the  time  being  with  the  Stated 
and  Permanent  Clerks  be  the  Committee  to  fill  vacancies  in  the  delega- 
tion.—1903,  p.  162. 

[Note.— See,  for  List  of  Delegates,  Minutes,  1903,  pp.  161,  162.] 

4.  Change  in  Basis  of  representation  in  the  General  Council  of 
the  Alliance. 

It  was  felt  that  inasmuch  as  the  expenses  had  been  adjusted  in  the  past 
in  proportion  to  representation,  that  it  was  wise  to  adhere  to  the  same  rule 
in  the  present.  A  change,  however,  has  been  made  in  the  representation 
in  the  General  Council.  The  number  of  delegates  assigned  to  the  West- 
ern Section  by  the  Liverpool  Council  is  190.     After  careful  thought  the 


1002  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

Commission  has  increased  the  number  of  representatives  in  the  Council 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.,  which  means  also  an  increase 
in  its  share  of  the  expenses  of  the  Alliance.  It  is  hoped  that  the  new 
adjustment  of  expenses  and  representation  will  meet  general  approval. 
It  is  as  follows  :     [—1906,  p.  253.] 

Members.      Annual  Payment. 

Presbyterian  Church  in  Canada 19  $380 

Presbyterian  Church  in  U.  S.  A 81  1620 

Presbyterian  Church  in  U.  S 19  380 

Reformed  Church  in  America 11  220 

Reformed  Church  in  U.  S 21  420 

Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 16  320 

United  Presbyterian  Church 16  320 

Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  General  Synod     2  40 

Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church     .    .     2  40 

Presbyterian  Church  of  Brazil 2  40 

Reformed  Presbyterian  Synod 2  40 

Presbyterian  Church,  Mexico 2  40 

5.  Religious  services  for  the  English-speaking  people  in  Europe. 

That  we  most  heartily  commend  the  effort  to  supply  religious  services 
according  to  the  faith  and  order  of  the  Reformed  Churches  holding  the 
Presbyterian  System  for  the  English-speaking  people  of  the  continent  of 
Europe,  and  that  our  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  be  authorized  to  co- 
operate with  the  Alliance  to  this  end. — 1900,  p.  146 ;  1901,  p.  169. 

6.  Committee  on  European  Work  appointed. 

a.  That  in  reply  to  the  request  printed  in  this  Report,  a  Com- 
mittee be  appointed  by  this  Assembly,  to  be  known  as  a  Committee  of 
Correspondence  on  work  on  the  European  Continent,  such  a  Committee 
be  appointed  to  consist  of  three  ministers  and  four  elders. — 1902,  p.  74  ; 
1903,  p.  112. 

b.  Committee :  Joseph  W.  Cochran,  D.D.,  S.  S.  Palmer,  D.D.,  Camp- 
bell Coyle,  Edward  D.  Emerson,  Edward  C.  Stringer. — 1903,  169. 

7.  Reports  of  the  Committee  on  European  Work. 

a.  In  conclusion  your  Committee  would  recommend  : 

1.  The  continuance  of  this  work,  either  under  the  direction  of  a  Special 
Committee  of  the  General  Assembly  or  one  of  the  Missionary  Boards  of 
the  Church. 

2.  That  an  effort  be  made  to  organize  a  preaching  station  for  this 
summer  at  Frankfort-on-the-Main,  Germany,  if  the  way  be  clear. 

3.  That  those  to  whom  this  work  is  entrusted  be  instructed  to  make 
diligent  inquiries  as  to  the  needs  of  Evangelical  Protestantism,  to  learn 
the  attitude  of  Reformed  and  Lutheran  pastors  to  the  proposed  work,  and 
to  present  a  Report,  gleaned,  if  possible,  from  actual  experience  upon  the 
field,  to  the  next  General  Assembly. — 1904,  p.  117. 

b.  Your  Committee,  created  in  1903,  in  response  to  the  request  of  the 
Alliance  of  the  Reformed  Churches,  looking  toward  the  establishing  of 
summer  preaching  stations  for  American  tourists,  has  been  compelled  this 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1003 

year  to  centre  its  efforts  upon  the  developing  of  a  very  interesting  work 
at  Frankfort-on-the-Main,  Germany. 

Under  instructions  from  the  General  Assembly,  your  Chairman  began 
services  on  the  first  Sunday  of  July,  1904,  in  the  Hotel  Imperial,  Frank- 
fort. 

Your  Committee  has  been  in  correspondence  and  personal  conference 
with  the  Rev.  Dr.  William  H.  Roberts,  American  Secretary  of  the 
Alliance,  and  the  Rev.  James  I.  Good,  D.D.,  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
of  the  Alliance  on  Work  on  the  European  Continent.  As  reported  last 
year,  Dr.  Good  has  been  interested  in  opening  preaching  stations  in  be- 
half of  the  Reformed  Churches  at  several  points  in  Europe.  He  suc- 
ceeded last  summer  in  inaugurating  an  encouraging  work  at  The  Hague. 
The  attitude  of  the  Reformed  and  Lutheran  pastors  to  the  work  of  your 
Committee  is  heartily  sympathetic.  The  attitude  of  the  Established 
Church  in  Germany  to  the  independent  Protestant  bodies  is,  however, 
precisely  similar  to  the  attitude  of  the  Anglican  Church  to  the  Noncon- 
formist bodies  of  England. 

In  conclusion  your  Committee  would  recommend  : 

1.  That  the  work  at  Frankfort  be  commended  to  the  liberality  of  our 
churches  and  individual  givers. 

2.  That  the  Committee  be  continued,  with  power  to  fill  vacancies  and 
with  authority  to  take  steps  looking  toward  a  continuous  and  organized 
work  in  behalf  of  the  American  colonies  in  the  cities  of  Europe,  report 
to  be  made  to  the  next  Assembly. — 1905,  pp.  137,  138. 

c.  Your  Committee  was  given  authority  "  to  take  steps  looking  toward 
a  continuous  and  organized  work  in  behalf  of  the  American  Colonies  in 
the  cities  of  Europe,"  report  to  be  made  to  this  Assembly.  The  isolated 
and  meagrely  supported  American  churches  and  preaching  stations  at 
Paris,  Berlin,  Leipsic,  Frankfort,  and  The  Hague  must  depend  for  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  their  support  upon  unrelated  and  often  haphazard 
methods  of  solicitation  and  appeal.  Will  not  the  time  soon  come  when 
the  American  Church  will  seriously  address  herself  to  the  merging  of 
these  independent  interests  into  one  well-sustained  and  thoroughly  equipped 
enterprise?  The  Free  Church  of  Scotland  has  forty-five  preaching 
stations  in  Europe  and  spends  seventy-five  thousand  dollars  a  year  upon 
them.  And  yet  American  tourists  and  colonists  far  outnumber  the  Scotch 
in  the  countries  of  Europe. 

English-speaking  services  at  The  Hague  were  carried  on  last  summer 
by  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  with  an  attendance  of  from  forty  to 
fifty-two.  The  Rev.  Dr.  James  I.  Good  expects  to  open  these  services 
this  year  also  from  June  to  October  inclusive. — 1906,  pp.  169,  170. 

8.  Expenses  of  the  Alliance  voted. 

That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  authorized  to  pay  the  sum  of  $1620  to  the 
World  Presbyterian  Alliance. — 1906,  p.  209.  See  also,  for  payments  of 
$765  per  annum,  1899,  p.  135;  1900,  p.  129;  1901,  p.  130;  1902,  p. 
147 ;  1903,  p.  88 ;  1904,  p.  154  ;  and  1905,  p.  161. 

9.  Delegates  and  Reports  of  the  Alliance. 

Delegates.— 1899,  p.  11;  1900,  pp.  11,  146;  1901,  pp.  11,  169; 
1902,  pp.  11,  144;  1903,  pp.  11,  140;  1904,  pp.  11,  187;  1905,  pp.  11, 
162;  1906,  pp.  11,  199. 


1004  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

Reports  Received.— 1899,  p.  154;  1900,  p.  47;  1901,  p.  168; 
1902,  pp.  49,  73  ;  1903,  p.  88  ;  1904,  p.  180  ;  1905,  p.  85  ;  1906,  p.  92. 

Reports,  Text  of.— 1899,  p.  152;  1900,  p.  177;  1901,  p.  188; 
1902,  p.  186;  1903,  p.  181  ;  1904,  p.  232;  1905,  p.  230;  1906,  p.  250. 

III.    CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    AMERICAN    CHURCHES. 
I.  COMITY  WITH  OTHER  DENOMINATIONS. 

1.  Principles  and  rules  as  to  Comity  stated.    The  duty  of  the  Church  to 
the  Nation  emphasized. 

In  connection  with  this  whole  subject  it  is  necessary  to  emphasize  the 
double  need  under  which  every  Christian  denomination  rests  of  withhold- 
ing from  hasty  entrance  upon  fields  seemingly  occupied  in  an  adequate 
manner  by  another  denomination  ;  and  also  of  declining  to  allow  undue 
claims  of  monopoly  or  prior  right  made  by  another  denomination  or  its 
agents.  A  Christian  denomination  is  under  obligation  to  provide  for  the 
spiritual  welfare  of  its  own  members  wherever  they  may  be  providentially 
located,  and  this  obligation  is  enforced  by  that  right  fundamental  to  the 
liberties  of  the  Protestant  Churches,  the  right  of  private  judgment.  To 
deny  or  to  minimize  the  fostering  care  of  a  denomination  to  its  scattered 
members  in  spiritually  destitute  regions,  on  the  plea  that  another  denomi- 
nation can  do  the  work  as  well  or  better,  is,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Com- 
mittee, an  effort  to  shift  the  burden  of  proper  responsibility  upon  other 
shoulders,  and  may  in  some  cases  come  to  look  like  an  attempt  to  compel 
on  the  part  of  weak  churches  a  change  of  religious  allegiance.  The  first 
course  named,  if  taken,  may  be  significant  of  denominational  indolence  or 
weakness,  the  second  may  become  a  serious  encroachment  on  religious 
liberty.  The  American  Presbyterian  Church  has  always  been  able  to 
care  for  its  own  people — has  cared  for  them  persistently — and  by  its  tradi- 
tions, its  history,  its  intimate  relations  to  and  its  vital  connections  with 
every  step  in  the  development  of  the  United  States  of  America,  has  an 
enduring  spiritual  responsibility  for  every  part  of  the  nation's  territory 
from  Maine  to  Alaska,  and  from  Canada  to  Mexico  and  Porto  Rico.  There 
is  no  part  of  our  country  that  is  not  a  portion  of  its  spiritual  heritage,  and 
its  absence  from  or  weakness  in  any  region  means  serious  spiritual  loss  to 
individuals,  to  communities,  and  to  the  nation.  Our  Church,  while  invari- 
ably cherishing  a  spirit  of  true  fraternity  toward  all  other  Christian  de- 
nominations, is  under  supreme  obligations  to  prove  faithful  to  duty  in  the 
Home  Mission  field. 

It  is  clear  to  your  Committee  that  any  rules  of  Comity  proposed  for 
adoption  must  be  framed  with  a  view  to  the  principles  and  facts  just  stated. 
It  is  also  clear  that  the  work  of  the  self-supporting  Synods,  the  constitu- 
tional rights  of  Presbyteries  and  Synods,  the  Assembly's  power  of  superin- 
tendence of  the  concerns  of  the  whole  Church,  must  be  kept  in  view,  as 
well  as  the  work,  rights,  and  rules  of  the  Assembly's  Board  of  Home  Mis- 
sions. In  the  complex  system  of  management  of  mission  work,  which  by 
the  provisions  of  the  Constitution  and  the  force  of  providential  circum- 
stances exists  to-day  in  our  Church,  there  is  only  one  way  to  secure  effi- 
cient and  satisfactory  results,  coextensive  with  the  nationwide  field  of  work. 
While  there  must  be  due  recognition  of  the  constitutional  authority  of  all 
Church  courts,  and  of  the  requirements  of  Christian  charity,  there  must 
also  be  continued  recognition  of  the  supreme  authority  of  the  General 


FORM    OP    GOVERNMENT,    CIIAr.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1005 

Assembly,  and  of  the  existence  and  authority  of  the  Board  of  Home  Mis- 
sions as  an  agency  of  the  General  Assembly. 

Your  Committee,  after  due  consideration  of  all  the  interests  involved, 
recommends  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolutions  : 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  General  Assembly  recognizes  that  God  in  His 
Providence  has  laid  upon  the  Presbyterian  Church  the  obligation  of  carry- 
ing forward  the  work  of  evangelization  in  every  portion  of  the  territory  of 
the  United  States  of  America. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  work  of  evangelization  under  the  direction  of  our 
Church  judicatories,  and  especially  of  the  General  Assembly,  should  be 
conducted  always  with  due  regard  to  the  obligations  resting  upon  the 
Church,  the  constitutional  rights  of  Church  judicatories,  the  unity  of  the 
Church  and  of  the  work,  and  the  requirements  of  Christian  courtesy 
toward  the  agencies  of  other  Christian  denominations. 

Resolved,  3.  That  the  Plan  of  Cooperation  with  the  Presbyterian  and 
Reformed  Churches  in  America  adopted  by  the  Assembly  of  1897,  be  and 
is  hereby  reaffirmed  as  the  rule  of  conduct  for  all  the  field  work  of  the 
Boards  of  Home  Missions,  the  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school 
Work,  and  the  Board  of  Missions  for  Freedmen,  in  their  relations  to  the 
work  of  similar  Boards  or  Committees  of  the  above-named  Churches. 

Resolved,  4.  That  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  be  authorized  to  arrange 
for  Comity  upon  its  field  of  work  with  any  agency  or  organization  authori- 
tatively representing  any  one  of  the  Protestant  and  non-Presbyterian 
denominations,  subject,  however,  to  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution  of 
this  Church  as  to  the  powTers  of  Presbyteries,  Synods,  and  the  General 
Assembly  ;  and  it  is  recommended  that  all  Presbyteries  and  Synods  con- 
tinue cordially  to  cooperate  with  each  other  and  with  the  Board  of  Home 
Missions,  that  the  work  may  be  efficiently  and  successfully  conducted. 

Resolved,  5.  That  present  Comity  relations  with  the  Congregational 
Churches  can  be  improved  only  by  the  cultivation  of  greater  Christian 
charity,  larger  forbearance,  and  mutual  good  understanding  on  the  part  of 
the  wTorkers  on  the  field  in  both  denominations  ;  that  there  are  no  rules, 
heretofore  laid  down  or  to  be  laid  down,  that  can,  in  all  cases,  guide  in 
that  courteous  Christian  conduct  which  is  becoming  in  brethren  and  dis- 
ciples of  our  common  Lord. 

Resolved,  6.  That  the  specific  local  application  and  working  out  of  the 
rules  of  Comity  heretofore  laid  down  or  approved  by  the  General  Assem- 
bly be  referred,  with  large  discretionary  powers,  to  the  Home  Mission 
Committees  of  the  Presbyteries  and  the  Synodical  Superintendents  of 
Home  Missions,  and  where  necessary  to  the  Synodical  Home  Missionary 
Committees  in  the  self-supporting  Synods. — 1904,  p.  124. 

II.  FEDERATION  OF  AMERICAN  PROTESTANT  CHURCHES. 

1.  Appointment  of  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union. 

[Note. — See  this  Supplement,  p.  916,  Item  1.] 

2.  Communication  from  the  National  Federation. 

A  communication  was  received  by  your  Committee  from  the  Executive 
Board  of  the  National  Federation  of  Churches  and  Christian  Workers  in 
relation  to  a  Federation  of  Protestant  Churches  in  the  United  States. 
The  National  Federation  is  a  voluntary  organization  composed  of  repre- 
sentatives from  several  of  the  Protestant  Churches.     The  suggestion  made 


1006  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

is  that  a  Conference  of  representatives  accredited  by  the  governing  bodies 
or  other  authorized  agencies  of  the  Protestant  denominations,  meet  in  New 
York  City,  in  November,  1905,  to  organize,  if  deemed  advisable,  such  a 
Federation.— 1904,  pp.  127,  128. 

[See  Letters  of  the  National  Federation,  Minutes,  1906,  pp.  258-260.] 

3.  Closer  relation  of  all  Protestant  Churches  in  the  U.  S.  A.  approved  and 
Conference  authorized. 

Resolved,  1.  That  this  General  Assembly  is  in  hearty  sympathy  with 
all  movements  which  seek  to  bring  into  closer  relations  the  several  Protes- 
tant Churches  of  the  U.  S.  A.,  believing  that  they  are  largely  one  in 
spirit,  devoted  to  one  Lord,  and  hold  in  common  essential  evangelical 
doctrine. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union  is 
hereby  authorized,  if  the  way  be  clear,  to  appoint  fifty  representatives  to 
a  national  conference  of  the  Protestant  denominations,  to  meet  in  New 
York  City,  in  November,  1 905,  to  organize,  if  deemed  advisable,  a  National 
Federation,  and  to  consider  such  other  matters  as  may  properly  come  before 
the  Conference.  It  is  understood  that  the  organization,  if  formed,  shall 
have  power  only  to  advise  the  constituent  bodies  represented,  and  that  its 
basis  shall  be  one  of  cooperative  work  and  effort,  not  one  of  creedal  state- 
ment or  governmental  form. 

Resolved,  3.  That  the  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union 
shall  report  any  action  taken  by  it  to  the  next  General  Assembly. — 1904, 
p.   128. 

4.  Delegates  to  the  Interchurch  Conference  appointed,  etc.,  Assembly 

of  1905. 

The  General  Assembly  of  1904  authorized  the  Committee  [on  Church 
Cooperation  and  Union]  to  appoint  fifty  representatives  to  a  General  Con- 
ference of  the  Protestant  Christian  Churches  of  the  U.  S.  A.,  to  meet  in 
New  York  City  in  November,  1905,  the  purpose  of  the  Conference  being 
"  to  organize,  if  deemed  advisable,  a  National  Federation,  and  to  consider 
such  other  matters  as  may  properly  come  before  the  Conference."  The 
Committee  would  report  in  this  connection,  first  of  all,  that  this  movement 
has  gone  forward  with  the  cordial  support  of  a  large  number  of  the 
Christian  Churches  of  the  U.  S.  A.  Eighteen  different  denominations 
have  chosen  delegates. 

Lutheran  and  other  bodies,  holding  their  national  meetings  before  the 
opening  of  the  Conference,  will  be  asked  to  join  in  its  deliberations,  and 
the  "  Commission  on  Christian  Unity  "  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
has  been  invited  to  be  present  in  its  official  capacity. 

The  "  Interchurch  Conference  on  Federation "  is  assured.  For  the 
first  time  in  the  history  of  the  Christian  Church  in  America  delegates 
representing  Churches  whose  aggregate  church  membership  is  over  seven- 
teen millions  will  meet  together  for  mutual  counsel,  with  a  view  to  as- 
certaining whether  any  plan  of  federation  between  them  is  feasible  regard- 
ing matters  of  common  interest. 

An  Executive  Committee  for  the  Conference  has  been  appointed,  and 
the  Stated  Clerk  of  this  Assembly  was  tendered  and  has  accepted  the  posi- 
tion of  Chairman.  The  place  of  meeting  is  Carnegie  Hall,  New  York 
City,  and  the  date  November  15-20,  1905. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1007 

Your  Committee  reaffirms  its  conviction  that  this  coming  Conference  is 
vitally  related  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  Church  and  nation.  The 
Protestant  Churches  of  the  U.  S.  A.  are  largely  one  in  spirit,  devoted  to 
one  Lord,  and  hold  in  common  essential  evangelical  doctrine. 

The  names  of  the  delegates  who  have  been  appointed  are  as  follows : 

[See  Minutes,  1905,  pp.  112,  113.] 

5.  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Interchurch  Conference  on  Federation 
to  the  Assembly  of  1906. 

Your  Committee  [on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union]  reports  that  the 
Interchurch  Conference  on  Federation  met  as  appointed  in  Carnegie  Hall, 
New  York  City,  November  15-21,  1905.  There  were  present  nearly 
five  hundred  delegates  from  thirty  Protestant  denominational  Churches 
in  the  U.S.A.,  representing  18,000,000  communicants.  The  Conference 
was  largely  attended  at  all  of  its  sessions,  and  the  papers  and  addresses 
were  of  an  exceptionally  high  order.  The  Christian  Churches  of  New 
York  City  extended  to  the  Conference  a  kindly  welcome,  and  the  Church 
Clubs  and  Unions  gave  to  the  delegates  an  elaborate  reception  on  the 
evening  of  November  21st.  The  delegates  originally  appointed  by  this 
Assembly  were  present  with  one  or  two  exceptions,  but  as  absent  princi- 
pals were  represented  by  alternates,  the  full  number  of  delegates  was  in 
attendance  during  most  of  the  sessions.  The  proceedings  have  been  pub- 
lished in  a  volume  of  seven  hundred  pages. 

In  connection  with  this  proposed  Federation  of  the  Protestant  Churches 
in  the  U.  S.  A.,  the  Assembly  is  reminded  that  a  beginning  of  an  effort  in 
that  direction  was  made  by  the  Assembly  of  1887,  and  was  entrusted  to 
the  Committee  on  Church  Unity  of  which  the  late  Rev.  Joseph  T.  Smith, 
D.D.,  was  Chairman.  The  proposal  was  contained  in  certain  Overtures 
from  twelve  Presbyteries  which  are  found  in  the  Minutes  of  1887,  pages 
156  to  159,  and  the  Assembly  of  1890  approved  a  resolution  contained  in 
the  report  made  to  it  by  the  Committee  on  Church  Unity,  which  reads  : 
"  The  Assembly  declares  its  approval  of  the  principle  of  Federation,  as  a 
step  towards  a  closer  union  of  the  various  Christian  bodies,  and  authorizes 
the  Committee  to  make  known  this  approval  in  its  correspondence." 
{Minutes,  1890,  p.  104.)     Federation  is  no  new  thing  with  Presbyterians. 

The  Committee  presents  to  the  Assembly  a  letter  from  the  Interchurch 
Conference  accompanied  by  a  Plan  of  Federation.  The  latter  was  ap- 
proved by  the  Conference,  and  was  ordered  to  be  transmitted  to  the  su- 
preme legislative  or  advisory  bodies  of  the  respective  Churches  for  their 
consideration  and  approval. 

[Note.— See  for  Letter,  Minutes,  1906,  pp.  260,  261.] 

6.  Action  of  the  Assembly  on  the  Plan  of  Federation. 

The  Committee  [Church  Cooperation  and  Union]  recommends  in  con- 
nection with  the  Plan  of  Federation  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolu- 
tions : 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  Plan  of  Federation  submitted  by  the  Interchurch 
Conference  on  Federation,  which  met  in  New  York,  N.  Y.,  November 
15-21,  1906,  be  and  hereby  is  approved,  with  the  exception  of  the 
sentence  at  the  close  of  Article  five  (5),  which  it  is  desired  to  omit  and 
which  reads  :  "  The  question  of  the  representation  of  local  councils  shall 
be  referred  to  the  several  constituent  bodies  and  to    the    first   meeting 


1008  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

of  the  Federal  Council  "  ;  and  also  with  the  exception  of  Article  nine  (9), 
paragraph  three  (3),  which  in  the  judgment  of  the  Assembly  should  read  : 
"  The  Executive  Committee  shall  consist  of  at  least  one  minister  or  layman 
from  each  Christian  Church  in  the  Federation,  together  with  the  President, 
all  ex-Presidents,  the  Corresponding  Secretary,  the  Recording  Secretary, 
and  a  Treasurer,  the  total  number  of  members  to  be  determined  by  the 
Federal  Council."  The  Assembly  expresses  the  hope  that  these  amend- 
ments approved  by  it  will  be  adopted  by  the  Federal  Council.  The  Assem- 
bly is  opposed  to  the  representation  of  local  councils  in  the  Federal 
Council,  and  is  convinced  that  the  Executive  Committee  should  be  en- 
larged. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  Plan  of  Federation  is  approved,  upon  the  distinct 
understanding  on  the  part  of  this  General  Assembly  that  the  proposed 
Federation  is  to  be  composed  only  of  Churches  holding  to  historical  and 
evangelical  Christianity. 

Resolved,  3.  That  the  representatives  to  the  Federal  Council  of  1908 
be  nominated  by  the  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union,  report 
to  be  made  to  the  General  Assembly  of  1907. 

Resolved,  4.  That  the  Assembly  hereby  authorizes  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee which  made  the  arrangements  for  the  Interchurch  Conference  on 
Federation,  to  make  the  arrangements  for  the  meeting  of  the  Federal 
Council  in  1908.— 1906,  p.  135. 

7.  The  Plan  of  Federation. 

PREAMBLE. 

WJiereas,  in  the  providence  of  God,  the  time  has  come  when  it  seems 
fitting  more  fully  to  manifest  the  essential  oneness  of  the  Christian 
Churches  of  America  in  Jesus  Christ  as  their  Divine  Lord  and  Saviour, 
and  to  promote  the  spirit  of  fellowship,  service,  and  cooperation  among 
them,  the  delegates  to  the  Interchurch  Conference  on  Federation, 
assembled  in  New  York  City,  do  hereby  recommend  the  following  Plan 
of  Federation  to  the  Christian  bodies  represented  in  this  Conference  for 
their  approval : 

PLAN    OF    FEDERATION. 

1.  For  the  prosecution  of  work  that  can  be  better  done  in  union  than 
in  separation,  a  Council  is  hereby  established  whose  name  shall  be  the 
Federal  Council  of  the  Churches  of  Christ  in  America. 

2.  The  following  Christian  bodies  shall  be  entitled  to  representation  in 
this  Federal  Council,  on  their  approval  of  the  purpose  and  plan  of  the 
organization  : 

The  Baptist  Churches  of  the  United  States. 

The  Free  Baptist  General  Conference. 

The  Christians  (The  Christian  Connection). 

The  Congregational  Churches. 

The  Disciples  of  Christ. 

The  Evangelical  Association. 

The  Evangelical  Synod  of  North  America. 

The  Friends. 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  General  Synod. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1009 

The  Primitive  Methodist  Church. 

The  Colored  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  iu  America. 

The  Methodist  Protestant  Church. 

The  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

The  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Zion  Church. 

The  General  Conference  of  the  Mennonite  Church  of  North  America. 

The  Moravian  Church. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A. 

The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  Welsh  Calvinistic  Methodist  or  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  United  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 

The  Reformed  Church  in  America. 

The  Reformed  Church  in  the  U.  S. 

The  Reformed  Episcopal  Church. 

The  Seventh  Day  Baptist  Churches. 

The  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

The  United  Evangelical  Church. 

3.  The  objects  of  this  Federal  Council  shall  be — 

I.  To  express  the  fellowship  and  catholic  unity  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

II.  To  bring  the  Christian  bodies  of  America  into  united  service  for 
Christ  and  the  world. 

III.  To  encourage  devotional  fellowship  and  mutual  counsel  concern- 
ing the  spiritual  life  and  religious  activities  of  the  Churches. 

IV.  To  secure  a  larger  combined  influence  for  the  Churches  of  Christ 
in  all  matters  affecting  the  moral  and  social  condition  of  the  people,  so  as 
to  promote  the  application  of  the  law  of  Christ  in  every  relation  of  human 
life. 

V.  To  assist  in  the  organization  of  local  branches  of  the  Federal  Coun- 
cil to  promote  its  aims  in  their  communities. 

4.  This  Federal  Council  shall  have  no  authority  over  the  constituent 
bodies  adhering  to  it ;  but  its  province  shall  be  limited  to  the  expression 
of  its  counsel  and  the  recommending  of  a  course  of  action  in  matters 
of  common  interest  to  the  Churches,  local  Councils,  and  individual  Chris- 
tians. 

It  has  no  authority  to  draw  up  a  common  creed  or  form  of  govern- 
ment or  of  worship,  or  in  any  way  to  limit  the  full  autonomy  of  the 
Christian  bodies  adhering  to  it. 

5.  Members  of  this  Federal  Council  shall  be  appointed  as  follows  : 
Each  of  the  Christian  bodies  adhering  to  this  Federal   Council   shall 

be  entitled  to  four  members,  and  shall  be  further  entitled  to  one  member 
for  every  50,000  of  its  communicants  or  major  fraction  thereof.  The 
question  of  representation  of  local  Councils  shall  be  referred  to  the 
several  constituent  bodies,  and  to  the  first  meeting  of  the  Federal  Council. 

6.  Any  action  to  be  taken  by  this  Federal  Council  shall  be  by  the 
general  vote  of  its  members.  But  in  case  one-third  of  the  members 
present  and  voting  request  it,  the  vote  shall  be  by  the  bodies  represented, 
the  members  of  each  body  voting  separately  ;  and  action  shall  require 
the  vote  not  only  of  a  majority  of  the  members  voting,  but  also  of  the 
bodies  represented. 

7.  Other   Christian  bodies  may  be  admitted  into  membership  of  this 

64 


1010  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

Federal  Council  on  their  request,  if  approved  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of 
the  members  voting  at  a  session  of  this  Council,  and  of  two-thirds  of  the 
bodies  represented,  the  representatives  of  each  body  voting  separately. 

8.  The  Federal  Council  shall  meet  in  December,  1908,  and  thereafter 
once  in  every  four  years. 

9.  The  officers  of  this  Federal  Council  shall  be  a  President,  one  Vice- 
President  from  each  of  its  constituent  bodies,  a  Corresponding  Secretary, 
a  Recording  Secretary,  a  Treasurer,  and  an  Executive  Committee,  who 
shall  perform  the  duties  usually  assigned  to  such  officers. 

The  Corresponding  Secretary  shall  aid  in  organizing  and  assisting  local 
Councils  and  shall  represent  the  Federal  Council  in  its  work,  under  the 
direction  of  the  Executive  Committee. 

The  Executive  Committee  shall  consist  of  seven  ministers  and  seven 
laymen,  together  with  the  President,  all  ex-Presidents,  the  Corresponding 
Secretary,  the  Recording  Secretary,  and  the  Treasurer.  The  Executive 
Committee  shall  have  authority  to  attend  to  all  business  of  the  Federal 
Council  in  the  intervals  of  its  meetings  and  to  fill  any  vacancies. 

All  officers  shall  be  chosen  at  the  quadrennial  meetings  of  the  Council, 
and  shall  hold  their  office  until  their  successors  take  office. 

The  President,  Vice-Presidents,  the  Corresponding  Secretary,  the 
Recording  Secretary,  and  the  Treasurer  shall  be  elected  by  the  Federal 
Council  on  nomination  by  the  Executive  Committee. 

The  Executive  Committee  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  after  nomination 
by  a  Nominating  Committee. 

10.  This  plan  of  Federation  may  be  altered  or  amended  by  a  majority 
vote  of  the  members,  followed  by  a  majority  vote  of  the  representatives 
of  the  several  constituent  bodies,  each  body  voting  separately. 

11.  The  expenses  of  the  Federal  Council  shall  be  provided  for  by  the 
several  constituent  bodies. 

This  Plan  of  Federation  shall  become  operative  when  it  shall  have 
been  approved  by  two-thirds  of  the  above  bodies  to  which  it  shall  be  pre- 
sented. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  delegation  to  this  Conference  to  present 
this  Plan  of  Federation  to  its  national  body,  and  ask  its  consideration 
and  proper  action. 

In  case  this  Plan  of  Federation  is  approved  by  two-thirds  of  the  pro- 
posed constituent  bodies,  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  National  Federa- 
tion of  Churches  and  Christian  Workers,  which  has  called  this  Conference, 
is  requested  to  call  the  Federal  Council  to  meet  at  a  fitting  place  in 
December,  1908. 

The  above  Plan  was  duly  adopted  by  the  Interchurch  Conference  on 
Federation,  New  York,  N.  Y.,  November  20,  1905,  and  ordered  to  be 
transmitted  to  the  Churches  interested. 

Wm.  H.  Roberts,  Permanent  Chairman; 

Frank  Mason  North,  Secretary; 

E.  B.  Sanford,  Corresponding  Secretary. — 1906,  p.  131. 

8.  Expenses  of  Delegates. 

It  was  understood  that  the  expenses  of  Delegates  to  the  Councils  of  the 
Alliance,  the  Interchurch  Conference  on  Federation,  and  all  similar 
gatherings  are  not  a  charge  against  the  funds  of  the  Assembly. — 1905, 
p.  215. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1011 

III.    FEDERATION  AND   COOPERATION   OF   PRESBYTERIAN    AND 
REFORMED    CHURCHES  IN  AMERICA. 

1.  Report  of  the  Committee  *  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union  on 
Presbyterian  Federation,  1904. 

At  a  meeting,  in  New  York  City,  on  December  9,  1903,  tbe  subject  of 
a  Federation  of  Presbyterian  and  Reformed  Churches  was  considered. 
There  were  present  representatives  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America, 
the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  General  Synod,  two  members  of  the 
Committee  on  Union  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  in  an  unofficial 
capacity,  and  a  majority  of  the  members  of  your  Committee.  The  Rev. 
J.  P.  Searle,  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  was  chosen  as  Chair- 
man of  the  Conference  on  the  nomination  of  the  Chairman  of  your  Com- 
mittee, and  the  Rev.  J.  D.  Steele,  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church, 
was  chosen  Secretary.  A  free  and  friendly  interchange  of  views  was  had 
on  the  subject  of  the  closer  relations  of  the  Churches.  The  Conference 
continued  over  into  the  next  day,  and  the  result  of  the  deliberations  is  con- 
tained in  the  following  paper,  which  is  submitted  to  the  Assembly  for  con- 
sideration, and,  if  deemed  proper,  for  adoption  : 

Resolved,  1.  That  this  joint  conference  on  the  closer  cooperation  of  the 
Reformed  Churches  holding  the  Presbyterian  System,  composed  of  Com- 
mittees representing  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  General  Synod, 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.,  the  Reformed  Church  in  America, 
and  corresponding  members  from  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  after 
full,  frank,  and  prayerful  conference,  is  unanimously  agreed  : 

1.  That  some  form  of  union  closer  and  more  tangible  than  any  at  pres- 
ent existing  between  the  Reformed  Churches  holding  the  Presbyterian 
order,  is  desirable  for  the  furtherance  of  the  work  entrusted  to  them  by 
the  Head  of  the  Church. 

2.  That  such  closer  union  is  possible  : 

(a)  Through  the  complete  consolidation  of  some  of  these  Churches,  and 
(b)  through  such  federation  as  shall  preserve  the  identity  of  the  various 
bodies  entering  into  it,  and  shall  also  provide  for  effective  administrative 
cooperation. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  several  Committees  constituting  this  joint  con- 
ference, not  fully  instructed  upon  this  point,  be  requested  to  report  to  the 
bodies  appointing  them  the  above  conclusions,  and  to  seek  further  instruc- 
tions as  to  which  of  the  lines  indicated  shall  be  pursued  in  the  future  con- 
ferences of  these  Committees. 

Resolved,  3.  That  this  joint  conference  extends  the  invitation  already 
given  by  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  General  Synod,  to  the 
various  Churches  of  the  Presbyterian  family,  to  appoint  Committees  to  con- 
fer with  us  upon  this  great  question  of  closer  cooperation  or  unity. 

In  view  of  the  action  of  the  Conference  it  is  recommended  that  the  fol- 
lowing resolution  be  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  approves  in  general  of  the  idea  of  a 
Federation  or  Federal  Union  between  such  Presbyterian  and  Reformed 
Churches  in  the  U.  S.  A.  as  do  not  favor  at  present  an  organic  union  of 
these  Churches,  and  hereby  empowers  its  Committee  on  Church  Coopera- 
tion and  Union  to  proceed  with  negotiations  having  in  view  such  Federa- 
tion or  Federal  Union,  report  to  be  made  to  the  next  Assembly. — 1904, 
p.  126. 

*  For  names  of  members  of  the  Committee,  see  this  Supplement,  p.  1012. 


1012  SUPPLEMENT   TO    DIGEST. 

2.  Plan  of  Cooperation  with  Churches  in  the  Presbyterian  Alliance 

reaffirmed. 

Resolved,  That  the  Plan  of  Cooperation  with  the  Presbyterian  and 
Reformed  Churches  in  America,  adopted  by  the  Assembly  of  1897,  be 
and  is  hereby  reaffirmed  as  the  rule  of  conduct  for  all  the  field  work  of 
the  Boards  of  Home  Missions,  the  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath- 
school  Work,  and  the  Board  of  Missions  for  Freedmen,  in  their  relations 
to  the  work  of  similar  Boards  or  Committees  of  the  above-named 
Churches.— 1904,  p.  126. 

[See  also,  this  Digest,  p.  311.] 

3.  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union  on  Presby- 
terian Federation,  1905. 

The  Assembly's  Committee  met  from  November  29  to  December  1, 
1904,  in  the  First  United  Presbyterian  Church,  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  with  the 
Committees  of  six  other  Presbyterian  and  Reformed  Churches  of  the  U.  S.  A. 
These  Committees  had  all  been  appointed  for  the  purpose  of  considering 
the  subject  of  the  closer  relations  of  the  Churches  which  they  represented. 
The  names  of  the  Churches  and  the  members  of  the  Committees  present 
are : 

Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  General  Synod :  Rev.  J.  D.  Steele, 
D.D.,  Chairman;  Rev.  Thomas  Watters,  D.D.,  Rev.  David  McKinney, 
D.D. 

Reformed  Church  in  America:  Rev.  Edward  B.  Coe,  D.D.,  Chair- 
man; Rev.  J.  Preston  Searle,  D.D. 

Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  :  Rev.  G.  B.  Strick- 
ler,  D.D,  Chairman;  Rev.  C.  R.  Hemphill,  D.D.,  Rev.  S.  M.  Neel,  D.D., 
Rev.  J.  H.  McNeilly,  D.D,  Rev.  W.  E.  Boggs,  D.D,  Rev.  J.  R.  Hower- 
ton,  D.D.,  Rev.  J.  F.  Cannon,  D.D.,  Capt.  C.  N.  Roberts,  Hon.  Charlton 
H.  Alexander,  Mr.  T.  Harrison. 

United  Presbyterian  Church  :  Rev.  T.  B.  Turnbull,  D.D.,  Chair- 
man; Rev.  J.  G.  D.  Findley,  D.D.,  Rev.  A.  G.  Wallace,  D.D.,  Rev. 
J.  W.  Witherspoon,  D.D. 

Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  :  Rev.  William  H.  Black, 
D.D.,  Chairman. 

Reformed  Church  in  the  U.  S.:  Rev.  J.  H.  Prugh,  D.D.,  Chairman; 
Rev.  Cyrus  Cort,  D.D.,  Rev.  David  B.  Lady,  D.D. 

Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A. :  Rev.  Wm.  Henry  Roberts, 
D.D.,  Chairman;  Rev.  J.  Addison  Henry,  D.D.,  Rev.  Robert  F.  Coyle, 
D.D.,  Rev.  W.  N.  Page,  D.D.,  Rev.  W.  J.  McCaughan,  D.D.,  Rev. 
C.  A.  Dickey,  D.D.,  Rev.  D.  P.  Putnam,  D.D.,  Rev.  R.  H.  Hartley, 
D.D.,  Rev.  J.  D.  Moffat,  D.D,  Mr.  Reuben  Tyler,  Mr.  E.  S.  Wells, 
Mr.  L.  H.  Severance,  Mr.  H.  C.  Gara. 

The  Committee  from  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  U.  S.  was  present  at 
the  Conference  by  invitation.  The  General  Synod  of  that  Church  meets 
once  in  three  years,  and  representation  of  the  Church  was  made  possible 
through  the  kindness  of  Rev.  Dr.  J.  H.  Prugh,  President  of  the  Synod, 
and  on  the  understanding  that  the  representatives  were  present  unofficially. 

After  serious  and  prolonged  deliberation,  characterized  throughout  by 
a  thoroughly  fraternal  spirit,  the  following  paper  was  adopted  by  the  Con- 
ference, and  is  herewith  submitted  to  the  Assembly  for  consideration : 

[Note. — See  for  Plan  submitted,  Minutes,  1905,  pp.  127-130.] 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1013 

4.  Action  of  the  Assembly  of  1905  on  the  proposed  Plan  of 
Presbyterian  Federation. 

The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  presents  the  following  additional 
Report  : 

There  has  been  referred  to  the  Committee  the  section  of  the  Report  of 
the  Committee  on  Cooperation  and  Union  numbered  IV,  on  Presbyterian 
Federation.  This  section  is  submitted  to  the  Assembly  not  for  present 
approval,  but  for  consideration,  and  this  consideration  does  not  bind  any 
future  Assembly  to  the  adoption  of  the  proposed  Plan  of  Federation  when 
completed  and  presented.  It  is  recommended  that  the  section  referred 
be  published  with  the  remainder  of  the  Report  in  the  Minutes  of  the 
Assembly. 

The  Plan  of  Federation  set  forth  therein  provides  for  a  permanent 
Council  of  Reformed  Churches  in  the  U.  S.  A.  holding  the  Presbyterian 
System,  its  members  being  elected  according  to  a  simple  ratio  by  the 
Churches  which  are  party  to  it,  and  for  submission  to  this  Council  by  the 
supreme  judicatories  represented  in  it  of  such  matters  as  they  may  deem 
wise.  It  is  recommended  that  our  Committee  on  Cooperation  and  Union 
be  continued  for  the  future  consideration  of  the  Plan  as  desired,  and  the 
Committee  is  expected  to  continue  to  guard  the  Plan  from  usurpation  of 
rights  now  held  by  our  Assembly  or  other  courts,  notably  in  the  provision 
for  the  withdrawal  of  any  Church  from  the  Council  if  it  deems  wise,  as 
provided  in  paragraph  16  of  the  present  proposal.  Your  Committee  see 
in  the  Plan  an  effort  to  express  the  wish  of  the  Churches  of  Christ  to  stand 
shoulder  to  shoulder  in  the  one  task  of  advancing  the  Kingdom  of  God, 
which  is  the  duty  of  each  and  therefore  of  all. — 1905,  p.  109. 

5.  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union  on 
Presbyterian  Federation,  1906. 

The  Plan  of  Federation  of  Presbyterian  and  Reformed  Churches  sub- 
mitted last  year  was  carefully  considered  in  joint  conference  by  the  Com- 
mittees on  Closer  Relations  of  the  interested  Churches  at  Charlotte,  N.  C, 
March  14-16,  1906,  as  already  stated.  The  deliberations  of  the  seven 
Committees  were  characterized  by  the  utmost  frankness,  cordiality,  and 
courtesy,  and  extended  through  three  days.  It  was  found  advisable  to 
alter  the  title  of  the  Plan  of  Federation  so  that  it  should  read  "  Articles 
of  Agreement,"  and  to  verbally  modify  the  Plan  to  agree  with  this  change. 
The  powers  of  the  Council  which  the  adoption  of  the  Articles  of  Agree- 
ment will  establish  were  made  advisory,  except  as  to  Articles  Nos. 
6  and  7.  The  Articles  were  all  approved  by  the  Conference  by  a  vote  of 
29  to  2,  and  as  finally  adopted  are  as  follows  : — 1906,  p.  127. 

6.  The  Articles  of  Agreement. 

The  Reformed  Churches  in  America  holding  the  Presbyterian  System, 
desiring  to  evince  and  develop  their  spiritual  unity  and  to  promote  closer 
relations  and  more  effective  administrative  cooperation  among  these 
Churches,  hereby  adopt  the  following  Articles  of  Agreement  in  further- 
ance of  these  purposes  : 

1.  For  the  prosecution  of  work  that  can  be  done  better  unitedly  than 
separately  an  Ecclesiastical  Council  is  hereby  established,  which  shall  be 
known  by  the  name  and  style  of  "  The  Council  of  the  Reformed  Churches 
in  America  holding  the  Presbyterian  System." 


1014  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

2.  The  Council  shall  consist  of  at  least  four  representatives,  ministers  or 
ruling  elders,  from  each  of  the  constituent  Churches,  for  each  one  hundred 
thousand  communicants  or  fraction  thereof  up  to  three  hundred  thousand ; 
and  where  a  Church  has  more  than  three  hundred  thousand  communicants, 
then  four  representatives,  ministers  or  elders,  for  each  additional  two 
hundred  thousand  communicants  or  fraction  thereof.  These  persons  shall 
be  chosen  with  their  alternates  under  the  direction  of  their  respective 
supreme  judicatories,  in  such  manner  as  those  judicatories  shall  respectively 
determine. 

3.  Every  Church  entering  into  this  Agreement  retains  its  distinct 
individuality,  its  own  creed,  government,  and  worship,  as  well  as  every 
power,  jurisdiction,  and  right,  which  is  not  by  these  Articles  expressly 
and  exclusively  delegated  to  the  body  hereby  constituted. 

4.  The  Council  shall  exercise  only  such  powers  as  are  conferred  upon 
it  by  these  Articles,  or  such  as  may  hereafter  be  conferred  upon  it  by  the 
constituent  Churches.  It  shall  not  interfere  with  the  creed,  worship,  or 
government  of  the  Churches,  and,  in  particular,  all  matters  of  discipline 
shall  be  left  to  the  exclusive  and  final  judgment  of  the  ecclesiastical 
authorities  of  the  Churches  concerned.  All  acts  of  the  Council  affecting 
the  interests  of  any  of  the  constituent  Churches  shall  have  only  advisory 
authority,  except  in  matters  covered  by  Articles  6  and  7. 

5.  The  Council  shall  promote  the  cooperation  of  the  constituent  Churches 
in  their  Foreign  Missionary  work,  and  also  in  their  general  work  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  in  connection  with  Home  Missions,  Work 
among  the  Colored  People,  Church  Erection,  Sabbath-schools,  Publication, 
and  Education.  The  Council  may  also  advise  and  recommend  in  other 
matters  pertaining  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ. 

6.  The  Council  shall  have  power  to  deal  with  questions  which  may 
arise  between  the  constituent  Churches,  in  regard  to  matters  within  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  Council,  which  the  constituted  agencies  of  the  Churches 
concerned  have  been  unable  to  settle,  and  which  may  be  brought  to  the 
attention  of  the  Council  by  the  supreme  judicatories  of  the  parties  thereto  ; 
and  such  differences  shall  thereupon  be  determined  by  the  Council  or  by 
such  agencies  as  it  may  appoint.  If  determined  by  an  agency,  such  as  a 
Committee  or  Commission,  there  shall  be  the  right  of  appeal  to  the  Council 
for  final  decision.  The  representatives  in  the  Council,  of  Churches  which 
are  parties  to  questions  at  issue,  shall  be  excluded  from  voting  upon  such 
questions.  Every  final  decision  shall  be  transmitted  by  the  Council  to 
the  supreme  judicatories  of  the  Churches  concerned,  which  shall  take  such 
steps  as  are  necessary  to  carry  the  decision  into  effect. 

7.  The  Council  shall  have  power  to  deal  with  any  other  matters  of 
interest  common  to  any  two  or  more  of  the  constituent  Churches,  which 
may  be  referred  to  it  by  the  supreme  judicatories  of  the  Churches  con- 
cerned for  its  action,  with  such  authority  in  the  premises  and  under  such 
conditions  as  may  be  agreed  upon  by  the  Churches  which  make  the  refer- 
ence. It  may  also  initiate  movements  having  cooperation  in  view,  sub- 
ject to  the  approval  of  the  Churches  concerned. 

8.  The  Council  shall  have  power  to  open  and  maintain  a  friendly  corre- 
spondence with  the  Presbyterian  and  other  Evangelical  Churches  for  the 
purpose  of  promoting  concert  of  action  in  matters  of  common  interest ;  but 
nothing  in  this  Article  shall  be  construed  as  affecting  the  present  rights  of 
correspondence  of  the  constituent  Churches. 

9.  The  Council  shall  give  full  faith  and  credit  to  the  acts,  proceedings, 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1015 

and  records  of  the  duly  constituted  authorities  of  the  several  constituent 
Churches. 

10.  The  officers  of  the  Council  shall  be  a  President,  Vice-President, 
Stated  Clerk,  Treasurer,  and  such  other  subordinate  officers  as  may  be 
necessary. 

11.  The  Council  shall  meet  in  regular  session  at  least  biennially,  and 
on  its  own  adjournment,  at  such  time  and  place  as  may  be  determined.  In 
conduct  of  its  meetings  it  shall  respect  the  conscientious  views  of  its  con- 
stituent members.  The  President  shall  call  special  meetings  at  any  time 
when  requested  so  to  do  by  a  majority  of  the  representatives  of  each  of  two 
or  more  of  the  constituent  bodies ;  thirty  days'  notice  of  such  meetings 
shall  be  given  to  all  the  members,  and  only  such  business  may  be  trans- 
acted as  is  specified  in  the  notice. 

12.  The  incidental  expenses  of  the  Council  shall  be  met  by  a  fund  to  be 
provided  by  a  pro  rata  apportionment  on  the  basis  of  the  representation  of 
each  Church  in  the  Council.  The  expenses  of  the  representatives  shall  be 
paid  by  their  respective  Churches.  All  the  expenses  involved  in  the 
settlement  of  any  question  between  the  Churches  shall  be  borne  equally 
by  the  Churches  concerned. 

13.  When  the  representatives  of  three  of  the  Churches,  at  a  meeting 
of  either  the  Council  or  its  agencies,  request  a  unit  vote  by  Churches  upon 
a  pending  motion,  the  vote  shall  be  so  taken. 

14.  The  Council  shall  have  power  to  make  such  regulations  and  by-laws 
as  shall  be  deemed  necessary  for  the  conduct  of  its  business. 

15.  After  this  Council  shall  have  been  constituted,  any  Church  holding 
the  Reformed  Faith  and  Presbyterian  Polity  may  be  received  into  the 
Council  by  a  majority  of  the  representatives  of  the  Churches,  voting  by 
the  unit  rule,  and  upon  its  adoption  of  the  Articles  of  Agreement. 

16.  Any  Church  in  the  Council  may  withdraw  therefrom  on  notice 
officially  given,  and  on  its  observance  of  the  same  constitutional  steps  as 
were  followed  in  its  adoption  of  these  Articles. 

17.  Any  amendment  to  these  Articles  proposed  to  the  Council  shall 
before  its  adoption  be  approved  by  the  Council,  and  receive  the  consent 
of  two-thirds  of  the  constituent  Churches  acting  in  accordance  with  their 
respective  Constitutions.  When  the  Council  shall  have  been  notified  of 
such  consent  it  shall  declare  the  amendment  to  be  a  part  of  the  Articles  of 
Agreement. 

18.  These  Articles  of  Agreement  shall  go  into  effect  when  any  two  or 
more  Churches  shall  adopt  the  same  by  proper  action,  and  elect  their 
representatives  in  the  manner  herein  provided. 

The  above  articles  were  adopted  at  Charlotte,  N.  C,  March  16,  by  the 
Committees  on  Closer  Relations  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church 
(General  Synod),  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  the  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  the  Reformed  Church  in 
the  United  States,  and  the  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church. 

J.  Preston  Searle,  Chairman; 

Wm.  H.  Roberts,  Secretary.— 1906,  pp.  126-130. 

7.  Action  of  the  Assembly  of  1906  on  the  Articles  of  Agreement. 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  Articles  of  Agreement  between  the  Reformed 
Churches  in  America  holding  the  Presbyterian  System,  submitted  by  the 
Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union,  and  approved  by  the  joint 


1016  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

conference  of  the  Committees  on  Closer  Relations  of  seven  Churches  of  the 
Presbyterian  family,  be  and  hereby  are  adopted. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  Assembly  refers  to  the  Committee  on  Church 
Cooperation  and  Union  the  preparation  of  a  plan  for  the  nomination  and 
election  of  the  representatives  of  this  Church  to  the  Council  of  the  Re- 
formed Churches  in  America  holding  the  Presbyterian  System,  established 
by  the  Articles  of  Agreement,  report  to  be  made  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  1907.— 1906;  p.  130. 

IV.   CLOSER  RELATIONS  AND  COOPERATION  WITH  PARTICULAR 

DENOMINA  TIONS. 

1.    The  Presbyterian   Church  in  the  U.  S. 

1.  Action  of  the  Assembly  of  1899- 
Overtures  Nos.  141-204,  215-219,  from  (67)  Presbyteries,  on  closer 
union  with  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  It  is  recom- 
mended that  answer  be  made  as  follows  :  Whilst  reiterating  our  confidence 
in  the  orthodoxy  and  Christian  character  of  our  Southern  brethren,  and 
our  fraternal  feeling  and  desires  for  a  closer  fellowship  and  a  more  effect- 
ive union  with  them,  we  do  not  deem  it  wise  to  take  any  further  action  in 
the  matter  proposed. — 1899,  p.  53. 

2.  Closer  relations  desired  between  the  Churches.    Action  of  the 
Buffalo  Assembly,  1904. 

The  following  was  adopted  with  one  dissenting  vote  : 

Whereas,  It  is  known  to  this  Assembly  that  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  now  in  session  at  Mobile, 
Ala.,  has  before  it  Overtures  from  several  of  its  Presbyteries  looking  to 
closer  relations  with  this  Assembly  ;  and, 

Whereas,  We  earnestly  desire  to  remove  all  obstacles  to  such  rela- 
tions, now  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  (1)  That  this  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  United  States  of  America  hereby  removes  all  aspersions  and  charges 
of  any  and  every  kind  made  by  previous  Assemblies,  reflecting  on  the 
Christian  character  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  and 
is  ready  at  any  time  to  confer  on  the  subject  of  closer  relations,  whenever 
such  conference  shall  be  agreeable  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States. 

Resolved,  (2)  That  the  Moderator  and  Stated  Clerk  be  instructed 
immediately  to  communicate  this  action  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States. — 1904,  p.  22. 

3.  Action  of  the  Mobile  Assembly,  1904. 
The  following  telegram  was  received  from  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  in  session  at  Mobile,  Ala.  : 

Mobile,  Ala.,  May  21,  1904. 
Rev.  W.  H.  Roberts,  Stated  Clerk,  General  Assembly : 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
learns  with  joy  of  the  action  of  your  Assembly  in  the  removal  of  all 
aspersions  upon  the  Christian  character  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
U.  S.,  and  declares  its  readiness  to  follow  the  leading  of  Providence  in  the 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1017 

matter  of  closer  relations,  overtures  touching  which  are  now  before  us  for 
consideration. — 1904,  p.  50. 

S.  M.  Neel,  Moderator. 

W.  A.  Alexander,  Stated  Clerk. 

4.  Committee  of  Conference  appointed  by  the  Mobile  Assembly,  1904. 

The  following  telegram  was  received  from  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  the  United  States,  in  session  at  Mobile,  Ala.,  and 
was  referred  to  the  Special  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union  : 

Mobile,  Ala.,  May  26,  1904. 

Rev.  William  H.  Roberts,  D.D.,  Stated  Clerk,  General  Assembly,  Buffalo, 
N.   Y.: 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States, 
wishing  to  promote  closer  fraternity  in  the  spirit  of  love  and  candor, 
Resolved  to-day  to  appoint  a  Committee  of  nine,  who  shall  be  authorized 
and  empowered  to  confer  with  similar  Committees  that  may  be  appointed 
by  other  Presbyterian  and  Reformed  Churches,  when  notified  that  it  is 
the  wish  of  such  other  Churches  to  enter  into  conference  with  us.  This 
Committee  is  to  confer  on  the  subject  of  closer  relations  with  such  Churches 
as  may  enter  the  conference  with  a  view  to  discover,  first,  the  real  senti- 
ment of  the  Churches  on  the  subject ;  second,  the  leading  of  God's  Provi- 
dence in  the  matter  ;  third,  obstacles  that  may  stand  in  the  way  of  closer 
fellowship  ;  fourth,  whether  and  how  such  obstacles  can  be  removed,  and 
fifth,  what  may  be  the  nature  and  form  of  the  relation  which  shall  best 
secure  effective  cooperation,  by  federation  or  otherwise,  and  at  the  same  time 
preserve  loyalty  to  those  great  principles  for  which  the  various  Churches 
have  been  called  to  testify.  This  Committee  shall  report  to  the  next  meet- 
ing of  the  General  Assembly  the  result  of  its  conferences. — 1904,  p.  141. 

W.  A.  Alexander,  Stated  Clerk. 

5.  Informal  Conference  at  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  1905. 

The  Committee  would  further  report  that  an  informal  meeting  of  two 
sessions  was  held,  at  Pittsburgh,  with  the  Committees  on  Closer  Relations 
of  other  Presbyterian  and  Reformed  Churches  of  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States.  The  whole  subject  of 
the  relations  of  the  two  Churches  was  considered  in  a  frank,  considerate, 
and  kindly  spirit.  A  large  part  of  the  time  of  the  sessions  was  given  to 
devotional  exercises.  It  was  understood  that  nothing  but  the  fact  of  this 
informal  and  thoroughly  fraternal  meeting  should  be  reported  to  the  As- 
sembly. The  Committee  records  its  gratification  over  the  brotherly  spirit 
manifested  by  all  the  members  of  the  two  Committees. — 1905,  p.  117. 

[Note. — See  also  under  Presbyterian  Federation,  this  Supplement,  p. 
1012.] 

2.  Reformed   Church  in  the    U.  S. 

Report  of  the  Committee  on  Church  Cooperation  and  Union,  on  rela- 
tions with  the  Reformed  Church,  U.  S. 

The  fellowship  between  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  U.  S.  and  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.  has  been  for  one  hundred  and 
seventy-five  years  of  a  fraternal  and  mutually  helpful  nature.  Some  of 
our  best  churches  were  originally  German  Reformed,  and  a  considerable 


1018  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

number  of  our  ministers  are  of  that  blood.  The  Reformed  Church  in 
the  U.  S.,  further,  is  not  confined  to  one  section  of  our  country,  but  is 
found  alike  in  the  North  and  South,  the  East  and  West.  Your  Committee 
met  in  conference  with  its  Committee  on  Church  Federation  at  Charlotte, 
N.  C,  March  16,  1906.  While  that  Committee  had  no  authority  to  enter 
upon  negotiations  with  our  Committee  looking  towards  Church  Union,  it 
was  thought  to  be  expedient  to  adopt  a  joint  resolution  expressing  the 
views  of  the  members  of  both  Committees.  The  following  action  was 
therefore  unanimously  taken,  viz.  : 

"  Believing  that  the  time  has  come  when  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States  and  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  Amer- 
ica, two  great  historic  Churches  of  the  Reformation,  holding  in  common 
the  Reformed  Theology  and  the  Presbyterian  Order,  should  come  into 
closer  relations  with  each  other,  in  order  to  carry  on  more  effectively  the 
work  committed  by  Christ  to  His  Church,  the  Committees  of  the  two 
Churches  in  this  Conference  hereby  agree  to  recommend  to  our  respect- 
ive General  Synod  and  General  Assembly  to  appoint  Committees  to  con- 
sider this  whole  subject  of  closer  relations,  either  federal  or  organic, 
between  the  Churches." 

Inasmuch  as  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  U.  S. 
does  not  meet  until  1908,  it  is  recommended  that  this  portion  of  the  report 
of  your  Committee  be  printed  in  the  Minutes  for  information,  and  that 
the  subject  be  recommitted  to  your  Committee. — 1905,  p.  111. 

S.    Work  Among  the  Hungarians  in  the    U.  S. 

1.  Committee  on  Hungarian  Work  appointed. 

a.  "In  the  matter  of  Overture  No.  44,  that  a  Committee,  consisting  of 
Rev.  William  Henry  Roberts,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  as  Chairman ;  Rev.  Arthur 
S.  Hoyt,  D.D.,  of  Auburn  Seminary  ;  Rev.  Geerhardus  Vos,  D.D.,  of 
Princeton  Seminary ;  Rev.  David  R.  Breed,  D.D.,  of  Western  Seminary  ; 
Rev.  David  S.  Schaff,  D.D.,  of  Lane  Seminary  ;  Rev.  A.  C.  Zenos,  D.D., 
of  McCormick  Seminary  ;  Rev.  E.  B.  Hodge,  D.D.,  Secretary  of  the 
Board  of  Education,  and  Rev.  S.  C.  Logan  D.D.,  or  others  whom  the 
Moderator  may  appoint,  be  directed  to  consider  the  condition  of  the  im- 
migrants from  Hungary  holding  the  Reformed  Faith.  This  Committee 
shall  have  power  to  correspond  with  the  Reformed  Church  of  Hungary, 
in  order  to  secure  the  cooperation  of  that  Church  in  providing  a  wise  and 
worthy  evangelical  care  of  these  immigrants.  The  Committee  shall  also 
suggest  plans  whereby  our  Board  of  Education  and  our  Theological 
Seminaries  may  prepare  young  men  of  foreign  blood  for  work  among  the 
people  whom  they  represent,  where  missions  may  be  established  among 
them  in  our  country." — 1902,  p.  134. 

b.  The  Committee  was  increased,  by  virtue  of  the  authority  vested  in 
the  Moderator,  by  the  addition  of  the  Rev.  Ferdinand  von  Krug,  of 
Kingston,  Pa.,  and  Prof.  John  H.  Finlev,  of  Princeton  University. — 
1903,  p.  106. 

2.  Report  of  Committee  on  Hungarian  Work,  1903. 
The   Special   Committee   appointed   by  the  last  Assembly  to  consider 
methods  of  providing  a  ministry  for  Hungarian  and  other  foreign  immi- 
grants holding  the  Reformed  Faith,  respectfully  reports  as  follows  (in 
part)  : 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1019 

Existing  Agencies. — The  Reformed  Clmrch  in  the  United  States 
already  has  a  well-established  work  among  the  Hungarians  of  the  Re- 
formed Faith  in  this  country.  The  Board  of  Missions  of  the  Reformed 
Church  has  expended  considerable  sums  in  the  supply  of  the  spiritual 
destitution  of  the  Magyars,  but  finds  the  work  in  this  and  allied  fields 
increasing  beyond  expectation.  No  action  should  be  taken  by  this  Gen- 
eral Assembly  which  would  in  any  way  interfere  with  the  work  as  con- 
ducted by  this  historic  and  vigorous  Church,  which  has  been  associated 
with  our  own  Church  in  the  spiritual  development  of  the  nation  for  more 
than  one  hundred  and  fifty  years.  Whatever  is  done  should  be  done  in 
harmony  with  the  plan  of  cooperation  in  Home  Mission  Work  adopted 
by  all  the  Churches,  both  Presbyterian  and  Reformed,  which  are  in  the 
"  Alliance  of  the  Reformed  Churches  throughout  the  World  holding  the 
Presbyterian  System." 

b.  The  Home  Mission  Work  of  the  self-supporting  Synods  constitutes 
an  important  feature  of  the  problem  under  consideration.  Seven  of  the 
Synods,  viz.,  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Baltimore,  Ohio, 
Iudiana,  and  Illinois,  have  conducted  for  several  years  past  home  mission 
work  within  their  bounds  by  Committees  under  their  own  control,  and 
have  accomplished  considerable  results. 

c.  The  Board  of  Home  Missions. — The  work  among  the  immigrant 
populations,  outside  the  bounds  of  the  self-supporting  Synods,  is  under 
the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  the  one  agency  of  the 
Church  by  which,  throughout  all  our  history,  unity  and  general  efficiency 
in  home  missionary  work  has  been  secured. 

The  Committee  submits  (in  part)  the  following  recommendations  for 
adoption  : 

2.  That  the  first  duty  of  the  Church,  in  the  present  emergency,  is  a 
provision  of  a  ministry  for  the  immigrants  from  Hungary  holding  the 
Reformed  Faith  and  the  Presbyterian  Order. 

3.  That  to  secure  the  performance  of  this  duty,  a  deputation  be 
appointed,  who  shall  visit  Hungary,  if  the  way  be  clear,  to  obtain  a  suit- 
able person  or  persons  to  work  among  the  Magyars  in  the  United  States, 
the  expenses  to  be  provided  by  special  contributions,  and  the  deputation 
to  be  appointed  by  the  Committee  in  its  discretion. — 1903,  p.  112. 

3.  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Hungarian  Work,  1904. 

In  accordance  with  directions  the  Committee  has  given  special  attention 
to  the  Hungarian  situation. 

A  deputation  was  appointed  to  visit  the  Reformed  Church  of  Hungary, 
in  order  to  ascertain  what  could  be  done  in  the  way  of  securing  miuisters 
for  the  numerous  Hungarian  Calvinists  in  our  land.  The  Rev.  Ferdi- 
nand von  Krug,  a  member  of  the  Committee,  and  the  Rev.  Julius  Ham- 
borsky  both  visited  Hungary,  and  after  consultation  with  representatives 
of  the  Hungarian  Church  and  several  of  the  Theological  Faculties  of 
the  Church,  reported  that  a  number  of  ministers  might  be  secured  to 
supply  the  fields  in  the  United  States,  provided  the  necessary  funds  were 
furnished.  The  expenses  connected  with  the  visits  of  these  brethren  were 
borne  in  part  by  benevolent  laymen  of  our  Church. 

In  relation  to  the  correspondence  conducted  by  authority  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  with  the  General  Convention  of  the  Reformed  Evangelical 
Church  of  Hungary,  we  hava  to  state  that  a  Committee  of  five  was 
appointed  by  said  General  Convention,  in  April,  1903,  to  investigate  the 


1020  SUPPLEMENT   TO    DIGEST. 

situation  in  the  United  States.  The  members  are  Rev.  Prof.  Joseph 
Pokoly,  of  Kolosvar,  Chairman ;  Rev.  Prof.  Louis  Csiky  and  Rev.  Prof. 
Bela  Sass,  Debreczen  ;  Chief- Judge  Aladar  Szilassy  and  Hon.  Andrew 
Gyorgy,  Budapest.  As  is  well  known,  quite  a  number  of  churches  com- 
posed of  Hungarians  are  connected  with  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States,  commonly  known  as  the  German  Reformed  Church. 
Communications  from  representatives  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Re- 
formed Church,  as  well  as  the  Stated  Clerk  of  this  General  Assembly, 
were  before  the  Hungarian  General  Convention.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
Convention  held  in  December,  1903,  inasmuch  as  the  Committee  of  five 
had  failed  to  report,  pending  the  presentation  of  such  Report,  the  Con- 
vention empowered  its  two  Presidents,  Rt.  Hon.  Baron  Desiderius  Banffy, 
late  Prime  Minister  of  Hungary,  the  secular  President,  and  Rt.  Rev. 
Bartholomew  Kun,  ecclesiastical  President  of  the  Convention,  to  delegate 
some  one  member  to  go  to  the  United  States,  with  a  view  to  reporting 
upon  the  condition  of  affairs.  The  two  Presidents  delegated  Count 
Joseph  Degenfeld,  Curator-General  of  the  Trans-Tissian  Synod,  to  this 
duty.  Count  Degenfeld  spent  several  weeks  in  the  United  States  during 
the  present  year,  visited  the  Hungarian  congregations  of  different  States, 
conferred  with  the  Chairman  of  this  Committee,  and  held  a  conference 
with  many  of  the  Hungarian  ministers,  both  Presbyterian  and  Reformed, 
at  Johnstown,  Pa.,  on  April  6,  1904.  Count  Degenfeld  submitted,  in  all 
his  interviews  and  conferences,  a  plan  for  the  establishment  of  a  branch 
of  the  Reformed  Church  of  Hungary  in  the  United  States,  guaranteeing 
that  where  $450  per  annum  was  contributed  for  the  salary  of  a  pastor, 
that  an  equal  amount  would  be  given  by  the  Hungarian  Church,  to  which 
the  latter  would  add  $500  for  each  congregation  to  build  a  church.  The 
financial  help  was  conditioned  upon  acceptance  of  a  connection  with 
the  Hungarian  Church.  At  the  conference  held  at  Johnstown,  Pa.,  there 
being  present  five  Presbyterian  and  thirteen  Reformed  Hungarian  min- 
isters, the  proposal  of  Count  Degenfeld  was  rejected  by  a  decisive  vote, 
and  it  was  agreed  that  a  connection  with  the  Hungarian  Church  was 
unacceptable  and  inadvisable.  It  was  also  recommended  that  the  work 
of  the  two  American  Churches  should  remain  in  statu  quo,  and  that  if  the 
Hungarian  Reformed  Church  desired  to  take  further  action  in  the  pre- 
mises, that  said  Church  should  enter  into  direct  communication  with  the 
American  Churches  interested. 

The  Committee  has  secured  from  competent  persons  suggestions  as  to 
the  best  methods  of  procedure  in  connection  with  the  provision  of  a 
ministry  for  Hungarian  Presbyterian  Churches.  It  is  their  judgment 
that  the  entire  Hungarian  interests  of  our  Church  should  be  concentrated 
in  the  hands  of  one  special  agency,  with  authority  and  means  to  act 
immediately  when  action  is  decided  upon.  This  agency  should  act  in 
harmony,  in  securing  and  appointing  ministers,  with  the  General  Conven- 
tion of  the  Evangelical  Reformed  Church  in  Hungary,  whose  good  will 
is  essential.— 1904,  pp.  203,  204. 

[Note. — The  Committee,  at  its  own  request,  was  discharged  and  the  work  turned 
over  to  the  Board  of  Home  Missions.] 

4.  Cooperation  as  to  Hungarian  Religious   Work  urged.      Committee 
of  Conference  appointed. 

Overture  No.  242,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Shenango,  urging  consid- 
eration of  the  needs  of  Magyar  Workers,  and  Overture  No.    273,  from 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1021 

the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick,  urging  harmony  and  cooperation  in 
Hungarian  religious  work.  It  is  recommended  that  the  Overture  from 
the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick  be  adopted  by  this  Assembly  as  set- 
ting forth  its  action  in  the  premises,  as  follows : 

Whereas,  There  are  in  the  United  States  Hungarian  churches,  mis- 
sions, ministers,  educational  and  publishing  agencies  connected  with  three 
distinct  ecclesiastical  bodies,  the  Reformed  Church  of  Hungary,  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  the  United  States,  and  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  U.  S.  A.  ;  and, 

Whereas,  These  three  denominations  all  hold  the  same  Reformed  sys- 
tem of  doctrine,  and  are  governed  in  accordance  with  the  same  Presby- 
terian polity  ;  and, 

Whereas,  It  is  very  desirable  that  this  unity  should  receive  practical 
recognition  and  that  there  should  be  harmony  and  cooperation  in  Hun- 
garian religious  work ;  therefore, 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A. 
hereby  declares  its  assent  to  the  following  principles,  and  its  willingness 
to  join  in  the  policy  herein  below  indicated,  and  invites  the  governing 
bodies  of  the  other  Churches  having  similar  jurisdiction,  or  their  properly 
authorized  representatives,  to  take  like  action. 

1.  Where  any  one  of  the  denominations  named  is  regularly  carrying 
on  work,  neither  of  the  other  denominations  should  inaugurate  work 
intended  to  draw  from  the  same  community  or  section  of  a  city. 

2.  The  right  of  congregations  to  determine  their  ecclesiastical  connec- 
tion should  be  recognized,  but  all  attempts  to  alienate  or  disrupt  congre- 
gations already  affiliated  should  be  forbidden. 

3.  The  full  qualifications  for  the  ministry  usually  required  in  the 
respective  denominations  should  be  demanded  of  those  to  be  ordained  for 
the  Hungarian  work. 

4.  There  should  be  one  well-equipped  Hungarian  religious  newspaper 
representing  all  three  denominations,  and  supported  by  them  all. 

5.  There  should  be  a  Committee  of  Conference  and  Advice,  consisting 
of  nine  members,  three  to  be  named  by  the  highest  judicatory  of  each  of 
the  denominations  or  its  authorized  representatives.  This  Committee 
may  concert  measures  to  promote  the  religious  interests  of  the  Hungarian 
common  to  the  denominations,  and  may  give  counsel  concerning  any  mat- 
ters of  controversy  referred  to  it  by  the  proper  authorities  of  the  respect- 
ive Churches,  but  it  shall  have  only  the  power  of  advice.  The  Moderator 
of  this  Assembly  is  hereby  authorized  to  appoint  three  representatives, 
who  may  act  on  behalf  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  case  similar 
committees  shall  be  appointed  by  either  of  the  other  bodies. — 1906,  p. 
181. 

VI.  POWERS  OF  GENERAL  SUPERINTENDENCE. 

I.  THE  BOARDS  AND  PERMANENT  COMMITTEES. 

I.    GENERAL    MATTERS. 

1.  Rule  as  to  Members  of  the  Boards,  etc. 

Standing  Rule  No.  15  shall  hereafter  read  as  follows  :  "  No  salaried 
person  shall  serve  as  a  member  of  a  Board  who  is  a  salaried  executive 
officer  or  employe  of  said  Board,  or  a  member  of  any  other  Benevolent 


1022  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

Board  of  the  Church  ;  and  no  more  than  one  ruling  elder  from  the  same 
congregation  shall  serve  on  a  Board  at  the  same  time." — Minutes,  1898, 
p.  132. 

2.  Salaried  Executive  Officers  to  be  approved. 

Hereafter  upon  the  original  appointment  of  any  salaried  executive 
officer  of  any  of  the  benevolent  and  Missionary  Boards  of  the  Church, 
such  appointment  shall  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly.— Minutes,  1898,  p.  132. 

3.  The  Charters  of  the  Boards  and  the  rights  of  the  Assembly. 

The  Special  Committee  on  the  Charters  of  the  Boards  reports  to  the 
General  Assembly,  as  follows  : 

The  Committee  was  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  1898  and 
is  composed  of  the  Moderator  and  Stated  Clerk  (see  Minutes,  pp.  132, 
133).  It  was  directed  "to  confer  with  the  Boards  and  to  procure  such 
changes,  if  any,  which  may  be  required  in  the  Constitutions  or  Charters 
of  any  of  the  Boards,  to  secure  the  full  legal  right  to  the  Assembly  of 
approval  or  disapproval  of  the  original  appointments  of  salaried  executive 
officers  and  to  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly." 

The  Committee  conducted  its  business  entirely  by  correspondence,  and 
are  glad  to  report  that  the  Charters  of  the  Boards,  in  the  judgment  of 
six  of  the  Boards,  do  secure  fully  the  legal  right  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly to  approve  or  disapprove  of  the  original  appointments  of  salaried 
executive  officers.  The  Boards  of  Home  and  Foreign  Missions,  however, 
report  a  doubt  as  to  whether  their  Charters  give  the  Assembly  the  legal 
right  just  referred  to,  but  acknowledge  the  authority  of  the  Assembly, 
and  recognize  as  binding  the  Rule  adopted  by  the  Assembly.  The  letters 
of  the  Boards  and  of  their  officers,  so  far  as  necessary  to  make  the  facts 
clear,  are  herewith  submitted  : 

The  Board  of  Home  Missions. — "  Our  Charter  provides  that  the  Board 
of  Home  Missions  'shall  generally  superintend  the  whole  work  of  Home 
Missions  in  behalf  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  as  the  General  Assembly 
may  from  time  to  time  direct.' 

"  This  Charter  gives  the  General  Assembly  full  control  of  the  work  of 
the  Board  by  annual  direction  of  its  affairs.  The  General  Assembly 
also  constitutes  the  Board  by  the  election  of  all  its  members.  It  may  be 
doubted  whether  under  strict  construction  our  Charter  as  it  now  stands 
secures  to  the  General  Assembly  the  full  legal  right  of  approval  or  dis- 
approval of  salaried  executive  officers.  But  that  it  has  the  full  moral 
right  under  the  Charter  there  can  be  no  doubt.  The  right  is  fully  and 
freely  conceded  by  the  Board. 

"  The  Board,  therefore,  does  not  think  it  necessary  to  secure  changes 
in  the  Charter  in  order  to  make  it  comply  with  the  direction  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  but  the  Board  is  quite  willing,  under  construction  of  its 
Charter  as  it  now  stands,  to  report  to  the  next  following  Assembly  for 
its  approval  the  election  of  salaried  executive  officers." 

The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions. — "  1.  The  Board  cordially  recognizes 
the  authority  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  understands  its  relations  to 
the  Assembly  to  be  those  of  an  agent  appointed  by  the  Assembly  to  carry 
out  the  desires  of  the  Church  in  the  administration  of  the  work  of  Foreign 
Missions.  In  accordance  with  this  understanding  the  Board  has  been 
accustomed  to  submit  each  year  to  the  Assembly  for  its  approval  the 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1023 

records  of  its  transactions  during  the  year,  including  the  election  of  its 
executive  officers. 

"  2.  The  Board  accordingly  recognizes  the  rule  adopted  by  the  Assem- 
bly '  that  hereafter,  upon  the  original  appointment  of  any  salaried  execu- 
tive officer  of  any  of  the  Benevolent  and  Missionary  Boards  of  the 
Church,  such  appointment  shall  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  General 
Assembly.' 

"  3.  The  Board  is  inclined  to  the  opinion,  in  view  of  the  advice  of 
counsel,  that  the  full  legal  right  of  approval  or  disapproval  of  the  orig- 
inal appointment  of  salaried  executive  officers  can  be  secured  to  the 
General  Assembly  only  by  procuring  through  the  Legislature  of  the 
State  of  New  York  a  change  in  the  present  Charter  of  the  Board. 

"  4.  Inasmuch  as  the  Board  fully  and  heartily  recognizes  the  author- 
ity of  the  General  Assembly  in  this  matter  ;  as  the  amendment  of  such 
a  special  Charter  as  that  of  the  Board  is  attended  with  much  peril ;  as 
the  Charter  was  amended,  though  with  much  difficulty,  in  1894,  in  order 
to  give  the  Assembly  the  clear  legal  right  to  elect  the  members  of  the 
Board  and  thus  to  control  absolutely  the  character  of  the  Board,  and 
further,  inasmuch  as  such  an  amendment  as  is  proposed,  by  singling  out 
one  set  of  actions  would  seem  to  imply  that  all  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
Board  are  not  subject  to  the  cognizance  and  approval  of  the  Assembly, 
the  Board  ventures  to  suggest  that  full  consideration  be  given  to  the  ques- 
tion whether  the  pressure  of  necessity  is  so  urgent  as  to  make  it  expedient 
to  procure  from  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York  any  further 
change  in  its  Charter." 

The  Board  of  Education. — "  At  a  stated  meeting  of  this  Board,  held 
March  27,  1899,  the  following  reply  from  our  Legal  Committee  was 
received,  and  communicated  to  the  Board,  and  on  motion,  a  copy  of  said 
communication,  after  approval,  was  ordered  transmitted  : 

"  By  the  act  of  May  12,  1871,  incorporating  the  Board  of  Education, 
the  General  Assembly  is  vested  with  full  power  to  control  the  action  of 
the  Board  in  such  manner  as  shall  be  deemed  most  advantageous,  within 
legal  limits,  and  the  action  proposed  being  within  the  power  given  to  the 
Assembly,  there  is  no  requirement  for  any  change  in  the  Charter  or 
Constitution  of  the  Board." 

The  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school  Work. — "  Extract  from 
the  minutes  of  the  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school  Work, 
February  28,  1899 : 

"  The  Secretary  reported  (inter  alia)  :  A  Remit  from  the  Stated  Clerk 
of  the  General  Assembly,  calling  attention  to  the  rule  adopted  at  the 
last  meeting  of  the  Assembly. 

"  The  Secretary  stated  that,  after  careful  consideration,  and  conference 
with  the  President  of  the  Board,  he  is  of  the  opinion  that  there  is  nothing 
in  the  Charter  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Board,  or  in  the  Constitution  of  the 
Board  itself,  or  in  the  deliverances  of  the  Assembly  in  reference  to  the 
Board,  that  requires  modification  in  order  that  full  effect  may  be  given  to 
the  rule  now  reported. 

"  The  report  was  approved  and  adopted." 

The  Board  of  the  Church  Erection  Fund. — "  1.  The  Charter  from  the 
State,  so  far  as  it  refers  to  the  management  of  the  Board,  simply  provides 
that  the  management  and  disposition  of  the  affairs  and  funds  of  said 
corporation  shall  be  vested  in^he  individuals  named  in  the  first  section 
of  this  act,  and  their  successors  in  office,   who  shall  remain  in   office  for 


1024  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

such  period,  and  be  displaced  and  succeeded  by  others,  to  be  elected  at 
such  time  aud  in  such  manner  as  the  said  General  Assembly  shall  direct 
and  appoint ;  and  such  election  shall  be  made,  and  the  said  funds  shall 
be  held  and  administered,  invested,  and  disposed  of,  for  the  purposes  afore- 
said, in  conformity  with  the  provisions  of  the  plan  adopted  by  the  said 
General  Assembly. 

"  2.  To  the  inquiry  of  the  Assembly  as  to  whether  there  is  any  pro- 
vision in  the  Board's  charter  from  the  State  inconsistent  with  the  rule 
adopted  by  the  last  Assembly,  that  the  original  election  of  an  executive 
officer  shall  be  reported  for  approval,  the  Secretary  was  directed  to  report 
in  the  negative." 

The  Board  of  Relief. — "  There  is  nothing  in  the  Charter  of  the  Board 
of  Relief  requiring  any  change  whatever,  in  order  that  the  General 
Assembly  may  carry  out  the  rule  adopted  by  that  body,  May  28,  1898." 

The  Board  of  Missions  for  Freedmen. — "  The  Board  of  Missions  for 
Freedmen  replies  that  no  change  in  its  Charter  will  be  required  to  make 
this  rule  of  the  General  Assembly  effective  or  to  secure  to  the  Assembly 
the  full  legal  right  of  approval  or  disapproval  of  salaried  executive 
officers  as  contemplated  in  the  rule." 

The  Board  of  Aid  for  Colleges  and  Academies. — "  There  is  nothing  in 
the  Constitution  or  Charter  of  the  Board  of  Aid  for  Colleges  which  needs 
change  or  amendment  in  order  to  secure  the  full  legal  right  to  the 
Assembly  of  approval  or  disapproval  of  the  original  appointment  of  the 
salaried  executive  officers. 

"Nothing  in  the  Articles  of  Incorporation  under  the  laws  of  the 
State  of  Illinois,  adopted  October  6,  1883,  bears  upon  the  subject 
except  the  following  from  the  certificate  applying  for  the  incorporation 
of  the  Board,  a  copy  of  which  is  attached  to  the  Act  of  Incorporation 
(italics  mine)  : 

"  '  Whereas,  The  "  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America,  '  at  its  annual  meeting  held  at  Saratoga 
Springs  in  the  State  of  New  York,  in  the  month  of  May,  A.  D.  1883, 
did  constitute  and  establish  a  Board  or  Commission,  under  the  name, 
style,  and  title  of  "  The  Presbyterian  Board  of  Aid  for  Colleges  and 
Academies,"  the  same  to  be  subordinate  and  subject  to  the  general  super- 
vision and  control  of  the  said  General  Assembly,  which  said  Board  was, 
by  said  General  Assembly,  charged  and  entrusted  with  the  interests  of 
higher  education,  as  connected  with  the  said  Presbyterian  Church.'  " 

The  Committee  recommends : 

1.  That  the  report  be  printed  in  full  in  the  Minxdes. 

2.  That  the  original  appointments  or  elections  of  salaried  executive 
officers  of  the  Boards  be  forwarded  in  separate  communications  by  the 
Boards  to  the  General  Assembly  next  succeeding  the  appointment  or 
election  of  such  officers,  and  such  reports  shall  be  handed  by  the  Stated 
Clerk  to  the  proper  Standing  Committees,  who  shall  report  to  the  Assem- 
bly either  in  approval  or  disapproval. 

3.  That  the  Boards  of  Home  and  Foreign  Missions  be  advised  to 
reconsider  the  subject  of  the  legal  rights  of  the  General  Assembly 
under  their  Charters,  and  if  the  opinions  already  expressed  be  con- 
firmed, that  the  said  Boards  procure  amendments  to  said  Charters, 
securing  to  the  General  Assembly  complete  control  of  all  their  affairs. — 
1899,  pp.  21-25. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.  V.  1025 

4.  Budget  for  the  Boards  at  each  Assembly. 

[Note. — See  this  Supplement,  p.  989,  Standing  Committee  on  Fin- 
ance.] 

5.  Report  on  the  Administrative  and  Legal  Status  of  the  Boards  re- 
ceived through  the  Reunion  of  1906. 

The  Boards. — In  connection  with  this  part  of  the  work  of  the  Com- 
mittee, we  have  to  state  that  conferences  were  held  by  Sub-committees 
with  the  representatives  of  the  Boards  of  our  Church  both  in  New  York 
and  Philadelphia.  The  Boards  directly  concerned  in  the  arrangements 
for  this  Reunion  and  Union  are  the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  the  Board 
of  Foreign  Missions,  the  Board  of  Church  Erection,  the  Board  of  Publi- 
cation and  Sabbath-school  Work,  the  Board  of  Relief,  and  the  Board  of 
Education  of  our  own  Church ;  and  the  Boards  of  the  Cumberland 
Church  which  conduct  similar  work,  the  Board  of  Missions  and  Church 
Erection,  the  Board  of  Publication,  the  Board  of  Ministerial  Relief,  and 
the  Educational  Society.  Conferences  were  arranged,  on  the  initiative 
of  the  Joint  Committees  on  Union,  between  the  representatives  of  the 
above-named  Boards,  which  were  in  the  highest  degree  satisfactory  both 
in  their  conduct  and  their  outcome.  The  results  reached  indicate 
clearly  a  common  purpose  on  the  part  of  the  Boards  to  carry  out  at  as 
early  a  date  as  possible  the  arrangements  affecting  their  interests  contained 
in  the  Plan  of  Union  and  also  in  the  directions  of  the  Joint-report  of 
the  Committee.  The  Resolutions  dealing  with  the  Boards  contained  in 
said  Joint-report  are  Resolutions  Nos.  two  (2),  five  (5),  six  (6),  seven 
(7),  and  nine  (9). 

With  reference  to  the  legal  consolidation  of  the  Boards,  the  Committee 
has  to  state  that  no  obstacles  appear  to  stand  in  the  way,  and  submit,  in 
connection  with  this  subject,  quotations  from  the  reports  of  the  Confer- 
ences of  two  of  the  Boards  of  each  Church,  viz.,  those  having  to  do  with 
Ministerial  Relief  and  with  Education.     These  are  as  follows  : 

Ministerial  Relief. — "  After  a  careful  examination  of  the  provisions  of 
the  charters  of  the  two  Boards,  and  the  laws  of  the  respective  States 
from  which  their  charters  have  been  obtained,  we  find  that  it  is  perfectly 
feasible  for  the  Board  of  Relief  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
to  transfer  all  its  trusts  to  the  Presbyterian  Board  of  Relief,  after  proper 
authority  shall  have  been  given  to  it  so  to  do  by  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Reunited  Church  and  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Indiana." 

Education. — "  The  representatives  of  the  Educational  Society  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  reported  that  they  had  examined  into 
the  feasibility  of  transferring  to  the  Board  of  Education  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.  the  property  and  trusts  belonging  to  it. 
In  their  opinion  such  transfer  was  entirely  practicable,  and  it  could  be 
accomplished  at  any  time." 

The  other  Boards  reported  substantially  in  similar  terms  as  to  the 
transfer  of  property  and  trusts. — 1906,  pp.  137,  138. 

The  counsel  of  the  Boards  located  in  New  York  advised  that  partic- 
ular care  be  taken  in  the  framing  of  the  resolutions  completing  the 
Reunion  and  Union,  so  as  to  make  it  clear  that  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  U.  S.  A.  would  continue  its  existence  both  ecclesiastically  and 
legally,  and  that  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  was  reunited  with 
and  incorporated  into  said  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A. — 1906, 
p.  140. 

65 


1026  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

II.    THE   SEPARATE    AGENCIES. 
I.    BOARD    OF    HOME   MISSIONS. 

1.  Regulations  for  the  distribution  of  Home  Mission  Funds. 

a.  To  require  of  all  churches  applyiug  for  aid,  that  they  send  to  the 
Presbyterial  Committee  with  their  applications  for  aid  two  copies  of  their 
subscription  for  pastor's  salary,  one  copy  for  the  Board  of  Home  Missions, 
and  one  copy  for  the  Presbyterial  Committee,  accompanying  these  with  a 
full  list  of  the  membership  of  the  church. — 1896,  p.  51. 

b.  7.  That  the  Synodical  plan  of  distributing  Home  Mission  fuuds 
adopted  last  year,  having  been  found  to  work  great  hardships  to  our  mis- 
sionaries in  the  field,  we  recommend  a  return  to  the  rule  adopted  in  1896 
{Minutes,  p.  51,  resolution  2),  viz.: 

(2)  That  the  Board,  at  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal  year,  require  of  each 
Presbytery,  through  its  Home  Mission  Committee,  a  careful,  conscientious, 
and  conservative  estimate  of  the  least  total  amount  necessary  to  aid  the 
Home  Mission  churches  within  its  bounds.  This  estimate  shall  give  in 
detail  the  amount  required  for  each  church,  answering  all  other  questions 
required  by  the  Board.  The  Board  shall  then  communicate  to  the  Pres- 
byterial Committee  the  maximum  total  amount  it  is  able  to  grant  the 
churches  of  the  Presbytery,  and  the  Presbyterial  Committee,  after  consul- 
tation with  the  Board,  shall  then  make  final  apportionment  among  the 
churches,  not  exceeding  in  aggregate  the  amount  designated  by  the  Board, 
and  this  distribution  shall  be  recognized  as  final  by  the  Board. 

8.  That  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  be  requested  to  furnish  to  the 
Home  Mission  Committee  of  each  Synod  (the  self-supporting  Synods 
excepted),  at  least  one  month  before  each  annual  Synodical  meeting,  a  full 
itemized  list  of  the  schedules  submitted  by  the  several  Presbyteries  consti- 
tuting such  Synods,  along  with  a  corresponding  list  of  the  actual  appro- 
priations made  by  the  Board.  The  Synods  will  thus  be  enabled  to  keep 
oversight  of  the  missionary  work  within  their  bounds. 

9.  That  all  applications  for  aid  for  the  same  amount  as  was  received 
the  year  before  shall  be  sent  back  by  Presbyteries  for  revision,  to  the 
churches  making  application,  and  that  the  Presbyteries  insist  that,  if  possi- 
ble, a  reduction  be  made  in  the  amount  applied  for. — 1899,  p.  60. 

2.  Presbytery  of  Cimarron  assigned  to  Home  Mission  Soard. 

As  the  work  of  the  Freedmen's  Board  has  to  do  especially  with  those 
who  are  technically  called  Freedmen  in  the  Southern  States,  and  the  terri- 
tory of  the  Presbytery  of  Cimarron  is  in  the  newly  developed  West,  we 
therefore  recommend  that  the  Presbytery  of  Cimarron  be  instructed  to  place 
the  needs  of  the  work  for  the  negroes  within  its  bounds  on  the  schedule 
in  its  application  for  aid  to  the  Board  of  Home  Missions. — 1902,  p.  124. 

3.  College  assigned  to  Home  Mission  Board. 

That  the  care  of  Westminster  College,  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  be 
temporarily  committed  to  the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  with  our  hearty 
approval. — 1904,  p.  165. 

4.  Associate  Secretaries  approved. 

a.  Rev.  John  Dixon,  D.D.,  1899,  p.  59  ;  b.  Mr.  J.  Willis  Baer,  1903, 
p.  78  ;  c.  Mr.  J.  Ernest  McAfee,  1906,  p.  77. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1027 

5.  Centennial  of  Home  Mission  Work. 

[The  General  Assembly  in  1901,  Minutes,  p.  49,  appointed  a  Special  Committee  of  thirty-two 
to  arrange  for  the  proper  celebration  of  the  One  Hundredth  Anniversary  of  Home  Missions. 
This  Anniversary  was  celebrated  by  the  General  Assembly  in  New  York  City,  May  16-20,  1902, 
and  the  Proceedings  were  published  by  the  Board  of  Publication  and  S.S.  Work.] 

6.  Regulations  for  the  conduct  of  Synodical  Home  Mission  Work, 

a.  The  Committee  submit  the  following  resolutions  for  adoption  : 
Whereas,   The  work  of  Home  Missions,  as  undertaken  by  the  General 

Assembly  through  the  Home  Board,  is  national  in  its  character  ;  and, 

Whereas,  In  that  work  all  parts  of  the  Church  should  have  the  live- 
liest interest  and  should  contribute  towards  its  support  according  to  the 
full  measure  of  their  ability  ;  and, 

Whereas,  Certain  Synods  by  the  authority  of  the  General  Assembly 
{Minutes,  General  Assembly,  1883,  p.  20)  have  entered  upon  plans  of 
Synodical  Sustentation  under  which  they  are  carrying  on  the  work  of 
Home  Missions  within  their  own  bounds  ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  Synods  now  self  supporting,  or  which  may  here- 
after become  self  supporting,  be  encouraged  to  continue  their  work  accord- 
ing to  the  method  found  most  efficient  by  them,  and  that  the  stronger 
Synods  be  stimulated  to  make  increasingly  large  contributions  through 
the  Board  for  the  general  work  beyond  their  bounds. 

Resolved,  2.  That  in  order  to  preserve  and  manifest  to  the  Church  the 
unity  of  the  whole  work,  each  Synod  having  a  Plan  of  Synodical  Work 
shall  be  required  on  or  before  the  31st  of  March  annually  to  present  a 
full  statistical  Report  to  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  of  the  Home  Mis- 
sionary work  carried  on  within  its  bounds  ;  that  this  Report  shall  be  in- 
corporated in  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Board  to  the  General  Assembly, 
and  that  forms  for  this  purpose  shall  be  prepared  by  the  Board. 

Resolved,  6.  That  the  Secretary  and  representatives  of  the  Home  Board 
should  cordially  cooperate  with  all  our  churches,  and  the  churches  with 
them,  and  that  the  literature  of  the  Board  should  be  freely  circulated 
everywhere  throughout  our  bounds,  whatever  the  plans  in  operation  by 
the  approval  of  the  General  Assembly. — 1898,  pp.  26,  27. 

b.  That  the  work  of  the  self-sustaining  Synods,  for  the  first  time  reported 
to  the  Board,  and  found  summarized  in  its  Report,  be  reported  in  the 
future  in  the  same  manner,  that  thereby  the  entire  work  of  our  Church  may 
be  exhibited.— 1899,  p.  60;  1901,  p.  49. 

c.  That  all  self-supporting  Synods  be  urged  to  make  fuller  reports  to  the 
Board  of  their  Home  Missionary  operations  and  the  results  of  their  efforts, 
for  publication  with  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Board. — 1906,  p.  78. 

7.  Plan  of  Sustentation  for  Ministers  in  Active  Service. 

a.  Resolved,  That  a  Special  Committee  of  ten,  five  ministers  and  five 
elders,  be  appointed  by  the  Moderator,  who  shall  take  into  consideration 
the  whole  subject  of  Ministerial  Sustentation.  This  Committee  is  authorized 
to  consider,  among  other  things,  the  advisability  of  the  adoption  of  a  gen- 
eral plan  of  sustentation ;  may  correspond  with  the  Board  of  Home  Missions, 
with  the  Committees  of  Sustentation  and  Home  Missions  of  the  several 
Synods,  and  with  such  other  bodies  or  persons  as  it  may  deem  proper  ; 
and  shall  report  all  its  proceedings  and  conclusions  to  the  next  Assembly. 
—1902,  p.  20. 

b.  After  due  consideration  of  the  whole  subject  of  ministerial  sustenta- 


1028  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

tion  as  related  to  ministers  in  active  service,  the  following  general  princi- 
ples are  recommended  for  adoption  : 

1.  That  the  standard  minimum  salary  of  a  Presbyterian  pastor  under 
any  Sustentation  Plan  should  be  §800,  with  a  manse. 

2.  That  every  church  needing  aid  should  be  stimulated  to  contribute 
the  standard  minimum  salary  by  such  methods  as  may  be  deemed  appro- 
priate by  the  Session. 

3.  That  the  Presbytery,  where  churches  are  unable  of  themselves  to  give 
the  minimum  salary,  should  provide  for  any  deficiency  in  the  salaries 
of  pastors  of  the  churches  over  which  it  has  jurisdiction,  either  by  offer- 
ings taken  up  in  its  own  churches  or,  when  necessary,  by  application  to  the 
Synodical  Committee  of  Sustentation  and  Home  Missions.  Where  there 
is  no  such  Synodical  Committee  the  application  should  be  to  the  Board  of 
Home  Missions. 

4.  That  where  a  Synod  has  a  Committee  of  Sustentation  and  Home 
Missions,  said  Committee  should  provide  for  any  deficiency  reported  by 
the  Presbytery's  Committee,  and  if  the  resources  of  Synod  are  insufficient, 
that  then  application  for  aid  should  be  made  to  the  Board  of  Home  Mis- 
sions ;  the  Board  to  make  good  the  deficiency  so  far  as  within  its  power. 

5.  That  the  plans  of  all  the  Synods  should  provide  for  offerings  for  the 
Board  of  Home  Missions. — 1903,  p.  165. 

Work  among  the  Immigrants. 
8.  The  Reports  of  the  Special  Committee,  1903-04. 

[Note. — The  General  Assembly  appointed  in  1902  a  Committee  on  the  Hungarians 
and  other  immigrants.  The  Reports  of  the  Committee  on  the  Hungarian  work, 
having  an  international  character,  will  be  found  on  p.  1018  of  this  Supplement.  The 
Reports,  so  far  as  connected  with  the  general  features  of  the  Work  among  the  Immi- 
grants, are  printed  in  part  below.  For  full  text  of  the  Reports,  see  Minutes,  1903, 
pp.  105-113,  and  1904,  pp.  201-207.] 

9.  The  Board  of  Home  Missions  the  unifying  agency  of  "Work  among 

the  Immigrants. 

The  widespread  work  for  the  foreign  immigrant  demands  the  attention 
of  the  Church  as  a  whole.  And  the  Committee  feels  that  the  one  agency 
which  can  give  general  guidance  and  true  unity  to  the  work  among  the 
foreign  populations  is  the  Board  of  Home  Missions.  This  Board  repre- 
sents the  General  Assembly,  and  therefore  the  relation  to  all  missionary 
effort  of  the  Church  at  large.  While,  whatever  is  to  be  done  by  the 
Board  should  be  done  with  due  regard  to  the  work  undertaken  by  the 
Presbyteries  and  Synods,  the  Church  as  a  whole  should,  through  the 
Board,  unify  the  work,  and  give  to  it  that  efficiency  which  will  otherwise 
be  unattainable.  As  in  the  nation  so  in  the  Church,  there  should  be  not 
only  due  provision  for  local  self-government,  but  also  a  large  measure  of 
general  guidance  from  a  central  authority. — 1903,  p.  111. 

10.  The  Conference  between  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  and  the  Self- 

supporting  Synods. 

The  Board  of  Home  Missions,  we  were  officially  informed  by  the  Rev. 
John  Dixon,  D.D.,  Assistant  Secretary,  who  was  present  with  the  Com- 
mittee on  November  27,  1903,  held  a  conference  with  the  representatives 
of  the  self-supporting  Synods,  on  October  28  and  29,  1903,  at  the  Presby- 
terian Building,  New  York  City,   at  which  workers  from  the  field  were 


FOBM    OF    GOVERNMENT,  CHAP.   XII,  SECT.  V.  1029 

also  present.  As  a  result  of  the  conference  a  plan  of  cooperation  was 
agreed  upon  between  the  Board  and  the  Synods  for  work  among  the  immi- 
grant populations,  one  of  the  resolutions  reading  as  follows: 

"  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  conference  that  the  Home  Mission 
Board  should  secure  suitable  persons  of  the  various  nationalities  to  visit, 
investigate,  and  report  upon  this  work  in  the  different  parts  of  the  country  ; 
and  also  to  organize  such  work,  when  requested  by  the  proper  ecclesiasti- 
cal body."— 1904,  p.  202. 

U.  Action  of  the  Assembly  on  Work  among  the  Immigrants. 

a.  Action  of  the  Assembly  of  190S. 

4.  That  the  Assembly  recognizes  with  great  gratitude  to  God  the  work 
already  done  by  Presbyterial  and  Synodical  Committees  and  by  the  Board 
of  Home  Missions,  in  prosecuting  mission  work  among  our  populations 
speaking  foreign  tongues,  and  urges  the  extension  of  this  work  with  the 
heartfelt  cooperation  of  all  our  agencies. 

5.  The  Assembly  learns  with  gratification  of  the  readiness  of  the  Theo- 
logical Seminaries  of  the  Church  to  cooperate  in  every  possible  way  in 
the  work  of  fitting  men  for  preaching  the  Gospel  to  the  people  of  foreign 
tongues,  and  rejoices  that  at  least  two  of  them  have  already  made  some 
special  provision  in  this  direction,  in  addition  to  the  admirable  provision 
already  made  for  German-speaking  students  at  the  Newark  Theological 
School  and  the  Theological  School  at  Dubuque. 

6.  That  the  Assembly  also  notes  with  gratification  the  work  which  is 
being  done  by  certain  Presbyteries  in  providing  preparatory  education 
for  our  foreign-speaking  peoples,  such  as  promises  to  raise  up  a  body  of 
Christians  from  which  ministers  and  missionaries  may  be  recruited,  and 
the  multiplication  of  similar  efforts  is  urged  through  the  establishment  of 
general  training-schools,  as  the  necessities  of  the  case  may  require  and  the 
wisdom  of  our  Presbyteries  may  devise. 

7.  That  the  General  Assembly  directs  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  to 
designate  an  officer  to  have  oversight  of  mission  work  among  the  foreign- 
speaking  peoples  in  this  country  in  all  the  Synods  directly  connected  with 
the  Board,  and  also  to  cooperate  with  Synodical  or  Presbyterial  Commit- 
tees of  Home  Missions,  when  such  judicatories  have  their  own  home 
mission  work. 

8.  That  the  Assembly  renews  its  approval  of  the  action  of  the  Board 
of  Education  in  making  provision  for  aid  to  candidates  who  have  in  view 
work  among  the  foreign-speaking  populations. — 1903,  pp.  112,  113. 

[Note. — See  also  this  Supplement,  p.  1034.] 

b.  Action  of  the  Assembly  of  190 J^. 

1.  That  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  continue  its  general  oversight  of 
mission  work  among  the  foreign-speaking  peoples  in  the  United  States  ; 
organizing  work  among  them  where  it  has  authority  so  to  do  ;  seeking  for 
ordained  ministers  for  the  fields  either  in  the  United  States  or  in  Europe  ; 
and  presenting  to  the  General  Assembly  each  year  a  full  Report  of  all 
the  mission  work  carried  on  among  these  peoples  either  by  the  Board  or 
by  Synods  and  Presbyteries.  In  all  its  work  for  this  cause  the  Board 
should  give  due  regard  to  the  rights  and  powers  of  the  several  Church 
judicatories.  * 

2.  That  the  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school  Work  be  and 


1030  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

hereby  is  urged  to  give  increased  attention  to  the  work  of  organizing 
Sabbath-schools  and  distributing  religious  literature  among  the  foreign- 
speaking  peoples,  under  the  same  regulations  as  indicated  for  the  Board 
of  Home  Missions  in  Resolution  No.  1. 

3.  That  the  Board  of  Education  is  authorized  to  do  what  it  can,  in 
cooperation  with  the  ecclesiastical  courts,  to  develop  a  more  active  interest 
in  securing  candidates  for  the  ministry  among  the  foreign-speaking 
peoples,  and  is  also  empowered  to  make  the  cases  of  such  candidates  some- 
what exceptional,  as  concerns  the  rules  laid  down  for  the  guidance  of  the 
Board  by  the  General  Assembly. 

4.  That  the  Theological  Seminaries  which  are  providing  facilities  for 
the  training  of  young  men  of  foreign  nationalities  as  workers  among  their 
own  people,  be  commended  for  their  efforts  in  this  cause,  and  be  urged  to 
emphasize  this  form  of  their  work. 

5.  That  in  view  of  the  pressing  present  emergency  for  laborers  in  the 
field,  our  colleges  and  seminaries,  so  far  as  practicable,  be  urged  to  train 
men  from  among  the  foreign  populations  for  service  as  lay  workers  and 
as  local  evangelists. — 1904,  p.  206. 

12.  Plan  of  Evangelistic  Work  by  the  Board  of  Home  Missions. 

According  to  the  direction  of  the  General  Assembly,  the  Board  of 
Home  Missions  and  the  Evangelistic  Committee,  in  conference  concerning 
the  evangelistic  work  of  our  Church,  have  agreed  upon  the  following 
Report,  which  is  herewith  respectfully  submitted  to  the  General  Assembly  : 

1.  The  Evangelistic  Committee  having  made  known  its  purpose  of  con- 
fining its  future  plans  and  work  to  campaigns  in  the  larger  towns  and 
cities  and  largely  on  an  interdenominational  basis,  it  is  proposed  that  the 
Board  of  Home  Missions  shall  take  over  within  its  territory  all  other 
evangelistic  work  and  carry  it  on  to  the  full  measure  of  its  ability.  It 
shall  also  cooperate  with  the  self-supporting  Synods  in  the  work  of  evan- 
gelization according  to  their  desire  and  the  extent  of  its  ability. 

2.  The  Board  of  Home  Missions  will  so  reorganize  its  work  that  pastor- 
evangelists  shall  be  appointed  in  all  the  Presbyteries  or  groups  of  Pres- 
byteries so  requesting,  who  shall  give  a  part  of  each  year  to  evangelistic 
services  in  their  Presbyteries  and  under  the  direction  of  the  Home 
Mission  Committees. 

3.  The  Board  of  Home  Missions  will  keep  a  separate  account  of  the 
expenses  of  its  evangelistic  department,  appealing  for  gifts  for  its  support 
and  supplementing  them  as  may  be  necessary  out  of  the  treasury  of  the 
Home  Board. 

4.  This  plan  shall  not  take  effect  until  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal  year 
1907  ;  until  which  time  the  Board  shall  give  itself  diligently  to  the 
maturing  and  perfecting  in  detail  whatever  plans  of  reorganization  may 
be  necessary  to  give  effect  to  the  above  recommendations. — 1906,  p.  24. 

13.  Relations  of  the  Boards  of  Home  Missions  and  Publication  in 

Sabbath-school  Missionary  Work. 
That,  after  having  considered  a  Report  made  to  them  by  their  repre- 
sentatives who  had  had  the  matter  under  consideration,  the  said  two 
Boards  respectively  adopted  the  following  as  the  answer  which,  in  their 
judgment,  should  be  made  to  Overtures  [referred  to  them  by  the 
Assembly] : 

I.   These  Boards  deem  it  inexpedient  and  unadvisable,  under  the  exist- 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1031 

ing  conditions,  that  the  Missionary  Department  of  the  Board  of  Publica- 
tion and  Sabbath-school  Work  should  be  transferred  to  the  Board  of 
Home  Missions. 

II.  It  is,  however,  the  judgment  of  these  Boards  that  the  work  com- 
mitted to  them  requires  that  closer  relations  and  effective  cooperation  be 
established  between  them,  and  to  accomplish  this  result  the  Boards  ask 
the  General  Assembly  to  approve  the  following  plan  of  cooperation  : 

(a)  That  each  Board  shall  appoint  three  members  or  officers  who  shall 
constitute  a  Joint  Committee,  to  meet  at  least  twice  a  year  at  regular 
intervals  for  conference  concerning  the  fields. 

(b)  That  in  order  to  bring  about  effective  cooperation  upon  the  fields 
where  missionary  work  is  done,  the  Home  Mission  Committee  and  the 
Committee  on  Sabbath-school  and  Missionary  Work  of  the  Presbyteries  be 
instructed  by  the  Presbyteries  to  confer  with  reference  to  the  needs  of  the 
territory  covered  by  the  respective  Presbyteries,  and  with  reference  to  the 
wise  and  economical  prosecution  of  missionary  work  therein. 

(c)  That  inasmuch  as  a  vast  field  of  opportunity  is  opened  before  our 
Church  in  its  missionary  work  among  the  foreign  population  of  our  country, 
these  two  Boards  be  directed  to  cooperate  earnestly  in  this  great  work  and 
in  every  practicable  way  to  combine  to  carry  it  forward. — 1905,  pp.  210, 
211. 

II.      BOARD    OF    FOREIGN    MISSIONS. 

1.  Questions  authorized  for  lay  candidates. 

There  being  no  adequate  provision  in  the  present  system  of  examining 
candidates  for  appointment  as  missionaries,  by  which  the  religious  views  of 
laymen  and  women  can  be  fully  ascertained,  it  is  recommended  that  the 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions  be  authorized  to  propound  to  such  candidates 
the  following  questions  : 

(1)  Do  you  believe  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  to 
be  the  Word  of  God,  the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice  ? 

(2)  Do  you  sincerely  receive  and  adopt  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  this 
Church  as  containing  the  System  of  Doctrine  taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures  ? 

(3)  Do  you  approve  of  the  Government  and  Discipline  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  ? 

(4)  Have  you  any  views  at  variance  with  these  doctrines,  or  any  views 
of  Church  Government  which  would  prevent  your  cordial  cooperation  with 
the  missionaries  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.  ? — 1898,  p.  72. 

2.  Conditions  for  engagement  in  new  work. 

That,  since  through  lack  of  funds  in  recent  years  the  Board  has  been 
obliged  seriously  to  cripple  many  stations,  it  be  regarded  as  the  first  duty 
of  the  Church  and  of  the  Board  to  maintain  and  extend  the  Missions  already 
established  ;  but  as  there  is  imperative  call  also  for  new  work,  the  Church 
is  hereby  exhorted  to  provide  additional  funds  for  this  purpose,  and  the 
Board  is  authorized  to  undertake  such  work  wherever  sufficient  funds  in 
advance  of  usual  current  receipts  shall  be  in  hand  or  definitely  pledged  for 
the  maintenance  of  such  work. — 1900,  p.  97. 

3.  Plan  and  Rules  of  Comity  on  the  Foreign  Field. 

a.  That  the  Assembly  approves  the  action  of  the  Board  taken  in  New 
York  on  May  15,  1900,  regarding  comity  on  the  foreign  field,  said  action 
having  been  fully  recorded  in  the  foregoing  Report. — 1900,  p.  97. 


1032  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

b.  The  following  is  the  action  of  the  Board  referred  to  : 
"  Believing  that  the  time  has  come  for  a  yet  larger  measure  of  union 
and  cooperation  in  mission  work,  the  Board  would  ask  the  General  As- 
semhly  to  approve  its  course  in  recommending  to  its  Missions  in  various 
lands  (in  line  with  the  General  Assembly's  action  of  1887,  3Iinutes,  p.  23, 
having  in  view  building  up  independent  national  churches  holding  to  the 
Reformed  doctrine  and  the  Presbyterian  polity)  that  they  encourage  as  far 
as  practicable  the  formation  of  union  churches,  in  which  the  results  of  the 
mission  work  of  all  allied  evangelical  Churches  should  be  gathered,  and 
that  they  observe  everywhere  the  most  generous  principles  of  missionary 
comity  ;  and,  further,  it  is  voted  that  the  Board  now  adopt  the  statement 
of  policy  prepared  by  its  Special  Committee  on  Policy  and  Methods,  and 
submitted  to  many  of  the  missionaries  and  approved  by  them,  as  follows : 
"  '  In  the  view  of  the  Board,  the  object  of  the  Foreign  Missionary  enter- 
prise is  not  to  perpetuate  on  the  mission  field  the  denominational  distinc- 
tions of  Christendom,  but  to  build  up  on  Scriptural  lines,  and  according  to 
Scriptural  principles  and  methods,  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
Where  Church  union  cannot  be  attained,  the  Board  and  Missions  will 
seek  such  divisions  of  territory  as  will  leave  as  large  districts  as  possible 
to  the  exclusive  care  and  development  of  separate  agencies.  It  is  believed 
that  in  other  regards  also  missionary  comity  should  be  given  large  range : 
(1)  Salaries  of  native  workers  should  be  so  adjusted  among  missions  as 
not  to  introduce  an  element  of  dissatisfaction  among  the  workers  of  any 
Mission,  or  to  tempt  them  away  from  the  Mission  with  which  they  are  con- 
nected. (2)  Each  Mission  and  the  churches  connected  therewith  should 
recognize  the  acts  of  discipline  of  other  Missions  and  the  churches  con- 
nected with  them.  (3)  In  cooperative  educational  work,  and  especially 
where  the  schools  of  one  Mission  train  helpers  for  other  Missions,  the  latter 
should  render  some  compensatory  service.  (4)  Printing  establishments' 
are  in  many  Missions  required  by  the  missionary  work.  Such  should  not 
be  unnecessarily  duplicated.  The  printing  establishment  of  one  Mission 
should,  if  possible,  be  made  to  serve  the  needs  of  all  others  in  the  same 
territory.  (5)  A  hospital  invariably  opens  wide  opportunities  for  evan- 
gelistic work.  Until  these  are  properly  utilized,  it  is  not  judicious  or 
economical  to  establish  other  hospitals,  the  results  of  whose  establishment 
will  be  to  multiply  further  unutilized  spiritual  opportunities.  (6)  Fellow- 
ship and  union  among  native  Christians  of  whatever  name  should  be  en- 
couraged in  every  possible  way,  with  a  view  to  that  unity  of  all  disciples 
for  which  our  Lord  prayed,  and  to  which  all  mission  effort  should  con- 
tribute.' "—1900,  p.  96. 

4.  Action  as  to  the  theological  qualifications  of  missionaries. 

On  the  clear  understanding  that  the  phrase  "general  fitness"  includes 
those  matters  lying  on  the  borderland  of  doctrinal  belief  which,  while  not 
affecting  doctrinal  soundness  and  therefore  not  ordinarily  coming  within 
the  scope  of  Presbyterian  inquiry,  may  seriously  affect  a  man's  fitness  for 
the  foreign  field,  we  approve  the  Board's  declaration  of  policy  and  methods 
as  to  the  theological  qualifications  of  missionaries,  which  is  as  follows : 
"  The  Board  reaffirms  its  adherence  to  the  principle  set  forth  in  its  action 
of  May  6,  1902,  that  it  has  no  ecclesiastical  functions,  and  that  all  ques- 
tions relating  to  ministerial  standing  or  soundness  in  the  faith  must  be  au- 
thoritatively and  finally  settled  by  the  Church  courts.  Accordingly,  in 
any  case  where  evidence  is  brought  before  the   Board  tending  to  show 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1033 

doctrinal  unsoundness  on  the  part  of  a  ministerial  appointee  or  candidate,  it 
shall  be  promptly  referred  for  investigation  to  the  Presbytery  to  which  he 
is  responsible.  The  Board,  however,  while  affirming  the  principle  of  the 
exclusive  jurisdiction  of  the  courts  of  the  Church  in  matters  of  orthodoxy, 
does  not  consider  itself  precluded  thereby  from  reconsidering  at  any  time 
the  general  fitness  of  an  appointee  for  the  arduous  and  responsible  service 
of  the  foreign  missionary,  and  of  assuring  itself  by  proper  and  reasonable 
inquiries  of  his  probable  usefulness  in  the  field.  The  Board  directs  that 
this  action  shall  be  especially  reported  to  the  next  General  Assembly  for 
approval,  modification,  or  reversal.  In  order  to  prevent  embarrassing 
complications  and  possible  disappointments,  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  in 
the  case  of  a  candidate  who  has  not  received  his  training  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  or  whose  educational  advantages  have  not  been  such  as  to 
insure  an  intelligent  acquaintance  with  the  Standards  of  the  Church, 
action  upon  his  application  shall  ordinarily  be  deferred  until  the  candi- 
date has  been  examined  and  licensed  by  Presbytery." — 1905,  pp.  124,  125. 

5.  Union  Educational  Institutions  to  teach  views  in  harmony  with  the 

Standards. 

We  note  with  satisfaction  the  readiness  of  the  Board  to  give  cordial 
response  to  appeals  from  the  Mission  stations  for  endorsement  of  reason- 
able union  movements,  properly  conserving  essential  truth.  In  particular, 
we  heartily  commend  and  approve  the  action  of  the  Board,  as  being  in 
line  with  established  precedents,  in  endorsing  under  fitting  safeguards  the 
movement  for  the  North  China  Union  Colleges,  with  the  understanding 
that  there  shall  be  no  teaching  in  the  Seminary  which  is  inconsistent  with 
those  conceptions  of  Scripture  truth  that  are  held  by  the  Presbyterian 
Church.— 1905,  p.  125. 

6.  Approval  of  Salaried  Executive  Officers. 

a.  Rev.  A.  Woodruff  Halsey,  D.D.,  Secretary.— 1899,  p.  73. 

b.  Dwight  H.  Day,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  1906.— p.  107. 

[Note. — See  also  this  Supplement,  p.  1022.] 

7.  Ecumenical  Missionary  Conference  of  1900  approved. 

The  General  Assembly  has  learned  with  deep  interest  and  satisfaction 
that  the  Protestant  Foreign  Missionary  Societies  of  Great  Britain,  the 
Continent  of  Europe,  and  America  have  resolved  to  hold  an  Ecumenical 
Foreign  Missionary  Conference  in  the  city  of  New  York  in  the  month  of 
April,  1900,  similar  in  character  and  aim  to  the  World's  Missionary  Con- 
ference held  in  London  in  1888.  The  opening  of  a  new  century  would 
seem  to  be  a  fitting  time  to  trace  the  development  of  the  great  foreign 
missionary  enterprise  which  now  circles  the  globe  ;  to  note  the  finger  of 
God  in  the  marvelous  unfoldings  of  His  providence  and  grace  in  connec- 
tion with  it ;  to  recount  the  splendid  conquests  already  made  among  un- 
evangelized  nations,  and  the  agencies  so  signally  blessed  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  by  which  they  have  been  achieved  ;  but,  above  all,  to  catch  the  sig- 
nificance of  the  trumpet  call  which  summons  the  Church  to  a  wider  occu- 
pancy of  the  field  and  to  still  grander  conquests  for  Christ  by  means  of 
the  mighty  forces  already  within  her  reach.  It  is  eminently  a  time  for 
wise   counsel  and  concerted  action.     The  General  Assembly,  therefore, 


1034  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

warmly  commends  the  contemplated  Ecumenical  Missionary  Conference, 
and  heartily  approves  the  action  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  in 
joining  in  the  undertaking,  looking  to  the  Church  for  such  cooperation 
and  support  as  may  be  found  necessary. — 1898,  p.  72. 

8.  Action  as  to  the  Centennial  of  Chinese  Missions. 
That  the  Moderator  and  the  Stated  Clerk  be  authorized  to  appoint  a 
Committee  to  represent  our  Church  in  the  Centennial  of  Chinese  Missions, 
to  serve  without  expense  to  the  Board  ;  and  that  said  Committee  convey 
to  the  brethren  who  may  convene  in  that  celebration  our  deep  sense  of 
God's  wonderful  providence  in  opening  to  Christian  effort  China's  closed 
doors,  in  blessing  those  efforts  so  abundantly,  and  in  awakening  rulers  and 
people  to  a  desire  for  light  and  knowledge  ;  and  our  confident  hope  that 
God  will  bring  that  stronghold  of  heathenism  into  allegiance  with  our 
Saviour  and  King. — 1906,  p.  102. 

III.     BOARD    OF    EDUCATION. 

1.  Directions  as  to  applications  of  candidates  seeking  aid. 

a.  The  Board  of  Education  is  hereby  directed  to  prepare  a  blank,  to 
be  signed  by  the  candidate  seeking  aid  from  its  funds,  in  which  applica- 
tion shall  be  set  forth  the  extent  of  his  inability  to  provide  for  himself 
the  necessary  funds  for  his  education.  It  shall  also  contain  a  pledge  from 
him,  that  if  at  any  time  during  his  course  of  study  he  should  wish  to 
abandon  the  ministry,  or  if  he  ceases  to  adhere  to  the  Standards  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  or  if  he  changes  his  place  of  study  contrary  to  the 
direction  of  the  Presbytery,  or  if  he  withdraws  from  connection  with  the 
Church,  he  will  refund  to  the  Board  of  Education  all  moneys  received  by 
him  therefrom.  This  provision  shall  not  apply  to  those  who,  by  reason  of 
ill  health  or  other  providential  reasons,  are  prevented  from  carrying  out 
their  purpose. — 1900,  p.  71. 

b.  That  the  Board  of  Education  be  and  hereby  is  authorized  to  allow 
those  who  ask  help  from  it  the  option  of  accepting  the  amount  granted  as 
a  loan,  without  interest ;  and  service  upon  the  part  of  the  borrower,  in  mis- 
sion fields  either  at  home  or  abroad,  shall  entitle  him  to  a  credit  of  $150 
for  each  year  of  service. — 1900,  p.  70. 

c.  That  no  student  receiving  aid  from  the  Board  of  Education  should 
be  granted  additional  aid,  excepting  prize  scholarships,  through  any  semi- 
nary without  conference  with  the  Board  of  Education  being  first  sought 
by  the  seminary. — 1900,  p.  144. 

d.  That  the  seminaries  should  be  especially  careful  not  to  appear  to 
make  offers  of  scholarships  to  any  students  preceding  a  satisfactory  in- 
vestigation of  the  candidates  as  to  scholarship,  health,  character,  and 
financial  need. — 1900,  p.  144. 

[Note. —Similar  instructions  were  given  to  the  Theological  Seminaries,  see  Minutes, 
1900,  p.  144.] 

2.  Discretion  allowed  as  to  application  of  rules  in  certain  cases. 

a.  That  the  Board  of  Education  be  hereby  authorized  to  use  a  measure 
of  discretion  in  the  application  of  its  rules  in  the  case  of  candidates  of 
foreign  extraction,  with  the  understanding  that  the  exceptions  shall  be 
such  only  as  relate  to  those  in  preparation  for  this  particular  work,  and 
that  no  vital  principle  shall  be  infringed. — 1904,  p.  62  .   1906,  p.  55. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1035 

b.  That  in  case  of  the  consummation  of  the  union  with  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  authority  is  given  the  Board  to  use  its  discretion  in 
dealing  with  exceptional  cases  of  Cumberland  Presbyterian  candidates, 
and  in  the  application  of  their  rules  to  persons  recommended  by  Presby- 
teries now  of  that  connection. — 1906,  p.  55. 

3.  Board  to  cooperate  with  Synodical  Education  Committees. 

That  the  Board  of  Education  is  authorized  and  directed  to  enter  into 
correspondence  with  the  Education  Committees  of  the  several  Synods,  with 
a  view  to  all  possible  cooperation  with  them  in  the  forming  and  forward- 
ing of  plans  for  the  supply  of  the  religious  needs,  particularly  of  Presby- 
terian students  in  attendance  upon  State  Universities  and  Colleges,  and 
the  proper  presentation  to  them  of  the  duty  and  privilege  of  preaching  the 
Gospel  to  their  fellow-men. — 1906,  p.  56. 

4.  Action  authorized  for  the  return  of  a  legacy. 

That  the  Board  is  authorized  and  directed  to  pay  over  to  the  children 
of  Mrs.  Emma  L.  Mansfield  the  sum  of  twelve  hundred  dollars  ($1200), 
which  under  the  will  of  Rev.  M.  A.  Parkinson  was  bequeathed  to  their 
mother,  but  which,  owing  to  the  occurrence  of  her  death  before  that  of  the 
testator,  said  Parkinson,  had  lapsed  and  come  into  the  possession  of  the 
Board  as  residuary  legatee. — 1906,  p.  55. 

5.  Directions  as  to  Work  for  Foreign  Immigrants. 
[See  this  Supplement,  pp.  1029,  1030.] 

IV.      BOARD    OF    PUBLICATION. 

1.  Rule  as  to  the  employment  of  colporteurs. 

That  the  Board,  in  conformity  with  its  general  rule,  engage  no  colpor- 
teurs, especially  in  the  well-organized  part  of  our  field,  without  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  Presbyteries  within  whose  bounds  they  are  to  serve,  and 
that  the  salaries  of  such  laborers  also  be  recommended  in  each  case  by 
the  Presbytery.— 1905,  p.  130. 

2.  Directions  as  to  the  investment  of  funds. 

That  in  the  case  of  moneys  left  or  given  to  it  without  designation 
as  to  the  use  of  such  money  or  as  to  the  securities  in  which  it  shall  be  in- 
vested, the  General  Assembly  hereby  authorizes  the  Board  of  Publication 
and  Sabbath-school  Work  to  apply  such  moneys,  at  its  discretion,  toward 
the  reduction  of  the  indebtedness  secured  by  the  mortgage  on  the  Wither- 
spoon  Building. 

That  the  General  Assembly  authorizes  the  Trustees  of  the  Board, 
through  the  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school  Work,  as  requested 
by  them,  to  invest  the  funds  derived  from  the  estate  of  the  late  George 
W.  Farr,  according  to  the  provisions  of  his  will,  in  securities  other  than 
those  known  under  the  laws  of  Pennsylvania  as  "  legal  "  securities. — 1906, 
p.  109. 

3.  Approval  of  Salaried  Executive  Officers. 

a.  Alexander  Henry,  D.D.,  Secretary. — 1905,  p.  129. 

b.  James  A.  Worden,  D.B.,  Superintendent  of  Sabbath-school  Train- 
ing.—1906,  p.  107. 


1036  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

4.  Relations  of  the  Boards  of  Home  Missions  and  Publication  in  Sab- 
bath-school Missionary  Work. 

That  the  Plan  of  Cooperation  between  the  two  Boards  be  approved, 
and  that  all  possible  efforts  be  used  to  make  such  Plan  effective. — 1905, 
p.  129. 

[Note.— See  for  text  of  the  Plan,  this  Supplement,  p.  1030.] 

5.  Board  given  authority  to  make  administrative  changes. 

That  the  request  of  the  Board,  of  date  April  23,  1903,  be  granted,  viz : 

"Whereas,  Experience  in  the  conduct  of  the  affairs  of  this  Board 
since  the  reorganization  of  its  administration  and  work  in  the  year  1887, 
has  shown  that  certain  changes  in  the  line  of  administration,  and  the  dis- 
tribution and  number  of  officers  of  the  Board,  may  be  made  with  ad- 
vantage to  the  work,  and  with  economical  results,  without  impairing  the 
general  scheme  or  plan  established  by  the  said  reorganization  ;  therefore, 

"  Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  is  hereby  requested  to  give  to 
the  Board  authority  to  make  such  changes  in  the  administration  of  its 
affairs,  and  in  the  number  of  its  officers,  and  the  assignment  of  duties  to 
them,  as,  in  its  judgment,  and  in  view  of  its  experience  in  managing  the 
work,  it  may  deem  best." 

It  is  recommended  that  when  action  be  taken  in  this  matter,  that  a 
Report  be  made  to  the  next  General  Assembly. — 1903,  p.  104. 

6.  Directions  as  to  work  among  foreign-speaking  peoples. 

a.  That  the  Board  be  instructed  specifically  to  endeavor  to  perfect  ar- 
rangements with  other  religious  bodies  for  the  publication,  through  the 
agency  of  the  American  Tract  Society,  if  possible,  of  evangelical  religious 
literature  in  the  foreign  languages  which  are  most  used  in  our  country, 
the  understanding  being  that  this  course  will  secure  the  results  at  present 
desired.— 1904,  p.  102. 

b.  That  the  Board  be  instructed  to  enter  directly  and  before  July  1, 
1905,  into  negotiations  with  the  Chairmen  of  Committees  on  Foreign 
Work  in  Presbyteries  which  are  more  immediately  concerned  with  the 
foreign-speaking  population,  so  that  the  crying  needs  of  these  morally  and 
spiritually  destitute  peoples  may  be  met  in  the  soonest  and  wisest  and 
most  practical  way  ;  and  particularly  that  the  Board  initiate  a  conference 
with  represeutatives  of  the  Presbyteries  of  Pittsburgh  and  Allegheny, 
that  the  urgent  demands  of  said  Presbyteries  for  an  adequate  Christian 
periodical  in  the  Bohemian  language  may  be  supplied  at  the  earliest  pos- 
sible moment,  by  such  means  as  the  Board  and  said  Presbyteries  may 
agree  upon. — 1905,  p.  129. 

[Note. — See  also  this  Supplement,  p.  1029.] 

7.  Directions  as  to  a  Department  of  Young  People's  Work. 

a.  There  is  referred  to  this  Committee  a  joint  request  from  the  Board 
of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school  Work  and  the  Permanent  Committee 
on  Young  People's  Societies,  addressed  to  this  Assembly,  viz  :  "  That  an 
additional  Department  of  this  Board  be  created,  to  be  known  as  a  Depart- 
ment of  Young  People's   Work,    and  a  Secretary  or  Superintendent  be 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1037 

employed  by  the  Board  for  this  purpose."  "We  recommend  the  following 
action  by  this  General  Assembly  : 

The  General  Assembly  refers  the  whole  matter  of  the  creation  of  such 
a  Department  and  the  development  of  such  a  work  to  the  Board  of  Pub- 
lication and  Sabbath-school  Work,  to  be  carried  out  in  such  ways  and  at 
such  times  as  it  may  deem  best. — 1906,  p.  108. 

b.  That  the  General  Assembly  hereby  assigns  the  work  of  Young 
People's  Societies  to  the  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school  Work, 
and  directs  that  when  an  additional  department  of  the  Board  is  created  it 
shall  be  known  as  the  Department  of  Young  People's  Work,  and  one  of 
our  strongest  and  best  young  men  shall  be  employed  by  the  Board  as 
Superintendent. 

3.  That  when  such  department  is  created,  then  Resolutions  5  and  6  on 
this  work,  passed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  1903  (see  Minutes,  1903, 
p,  63),  by  which  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Young  People's  Societies 
was  created,  and  its  constitution,  etc.,  authorized,  shall  be  rescinded  ;  and 
that  the  Permanent  Committee  be  discharged,  and  all  its  powers  and 
effects,  assets,  and  liabilities  be  turned  over  to  the  new  Department  of 
Young  People's  Work  of  the  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school 
Work,  and  that  all  expenses  consequent  upon  such  transfer  be  met  by 
said  Board. 

4.  That  the  Board  of  Publication,  through  its  proposed  new  Depart- 
ment of  Young  People's  Work,  be  directed  to  take  up  at  once  and  push 
vigorously  all  those  matters  by  previous  Assemblies  committed  to  the 
Permanent  Committee  on  Young  People's  Societies,  together  with  such 
new  matters  and  methods  as  in  its  judgment  would  tend  to  develop  and 
strengthen  the  work  of  these  societies  ;  and  also  that  the  various  recom- 
mendations of  past  Assemblies  pertaining  to  the  Permanent  Committee  be 
now  ordered  to  apply  to  the  proposed  new  Department  of  Young  People's 
Work  of  the  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school  Work. — 1906,  p. 
183. 


V.    BOARD    OF    CHURCH    ERECTION. 

1.  Rules  for  grants  for  church  buildings. 

a.  That  in  the  case  of  missions  established  under  the  care  of  the  Presby- 
teries with  a  view  to  the  organization  of  a  church,  the  Board,  upon  appli- 
cation from  the  Presbytery,  or  its  proper  Committee,  may,  at  its  discretion, 
make  a  grant  for  a  suitable  building,  provided  the  Presbytery  as  a  cor- 
poration holds  title  in  fee  simple  to  the  property,  and  in  other  respects  the 
usual  conditions  are  met. — 1898,  p.  102. 

b.  That  the  Board  be  authorized  by  the  Assembly,  as  soon  as  the  way  be 
opened,  to  make  grants  for  the  purchase  or  erection  of  churches  and 
manses  in  the  territories  which  have  lately  come  under  our  national 
authoritv,  taking  the  title,  if  necessarv  to  do  so,  in  its  own  name. — 1899, 
p.  107. 

C.  That  in  making  appropriations  for  work  in  these  new  possessions  and 
in  Alaska  the  Board  is  authorized,  for  the  present  at  its  own  discretion, 
to  waive  the  rule  allowing  only  one-third  of  the  cost  of  any  building,  but 
shall  be  limited  to  one-half  the  cost  of  the  property. — 1899,  p.  107. 

d.  That  in  the  case  of  grants  to  churches  in  mining  towns  and  govern- 
ment reservations,  where  it  is  impossible  for  the  organization   to  obtain  a 


1038  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

title  in  fee  simple,  the  Board  be  permitted  at  its  discretion  to  advance  the 
money  upon  the  receipt  of  a  bond,  conditioned  to  give  a  first  mortgage 
whenever  said  church  shall  be  able  to  secure  a  title  in  fee  simple. — 1903, 
p.  132. 

e.  That  the  Board  be  permitted  in  the  newly  opened  fields  and  in  excep- 
tional cases,  upon  distinctively  missionary  grounds,  to  grant  or  loan  at  its 
discretion,  and  for  the  erection  of  inexpensive  buildings,  a  sum  not 
exceeding  three-fourths  of  the  cost  of  the  building,  provided  the  plan  and 
cost  of  the  proposed  building  be  submitted  to  the  Presbytery  and  approved 
by  a  two-thirds  vote  before  the  work  is  commenced. — 1904,  p.  157. 

f.  In  view  of  the  recent  calamity  upon  the  Pacific  Coast,  which  has 
destroyed  many  church  buildings  and  in  large  measure  impoverished  con- 
gregations, your  Committee  recommends  that  in  making  grants  or  loans  to 
aid  in  rebuilding  these  churches,  the  Board  be  permitted  at  its  discretion 
to  waive  the  rule  in  regard  to  the  proportionate  amount  of  aid  to  be 
extended.— 1906,  p.  181. 

g.  Your  Committee  also  recommends  that  in  the  case  of  loans  to  aid  in 
providing  manses  for  our  missionaries  upon  the  island  of  Porto  Rico,  the 
Board,  in  cases  where  such  action  seems  necessary  to  secure  the  needed 
homes,  be  permitted  to  exercise  its  discretion  in  regard  to  the  proportion 
of  the  entire  cost  to  be  advanced. — 1906,  p.  181. 

2.  Directions  as  to  the  Manse  Funds. 

a.  That  the  Board  has  the  approval  of  the  General  Assembly  in  its 
purpose  to  distinguish  the  Raynolds  Manse  Fund  from  the  already  exist- 
ing Manse  Fund  by  using  it  in  the  case  of  churches  requiring  a  larger 
expenditure  in  manse  building  than  comes  within  the  scope  of  the  present 
fund,  using  it  thus  at  its  discretion  within  the  terms  of  the  will. — 1899, 
p.  107. 

b.  That  the  Board  of  Church  Erection,  in  making  loans  from  its  Manse 
Fund,  be  authorized  at  its  discretion  to  loan  or  grant  small  additional 
sums  to  be  used  in  procuring  permanent  furniture  for  the  manse,  provided 
such  furniture  be  the  property  of  the  congregation  to  which  the  appro- 
priation is  made,  and  provided  also  that  the  amount  appropriated  for  this 
purpose  shall  not  increase  the  total  amount  loaned  in  any  one  case  beyond 
one-half  the  value  of  the  manse  property,  and  shall  be  included  in  the 
mortgage  given  by  the  church. — 1900,  p.  125. 

3.  Board  authorized  to  amend  its  Charter. 

That  the  Board  is  hereby  authorized  to  apply  to  the  Legislature  of  the 
State  of  New  York  for  such  addition  to  its  charter  as  shall  distinctly 
recognize  the  Board  as  a  religious  corporation  under  the  laws  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  and  also  for  such  additional  powers  as  the  Board 
may  deem  necessary  for  the  taking  and  holding  by  will  or  conveyance 
propertv  to  be  used  in  the  erection  of  any  church  building  or  manse. 
—1904,  p.  147. 

4.  Churches  desiring  aid  to  consult  with  the  Board  before  building. 

That  the  Assembly  calls  the  attention  of  churches  contemplating  asking 
for  aid  to  the  propriety  of  consulting  with  the  Board  before  they  are  com- 
mitted to  an  undue  expense  in  building. — 1905,  p.  153. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1039 

5.  Mortgage  upon  a  Church  released. 

That  the  Board  have  permission  to  release  the  mortgage  of  $300  held 
upon  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  St.  Andrew's  Bay,  Fla. — 1903,  p.  132. 

6.  Board  to  be  informed  promptly  as  to  abandoned  buildings. 

That  it  be  incorporated  in  the  Standing  Rules  of  Presbyteries  that  the 
Chairmen  of  all  Presbyterial  Committees  on  Church  Erection  shall  re- 
port to  the  Board  as  early  information  as  possible,  in  regard  to  any 
church  which  has  been  dissolved,  or  which  has  practically  abandoned  for 
religious  services  its  church  building. — 1901,  p.  58. 

VI.    BOARD    OF    RELIEF. 

1.  Amendments  to  Rules  adopted. 

a.  That  Rule  7  be  amended  so  that  [it]  will  read  : 

"  When  such  a  minister  shall  certify  to  the  Presbytery  the  fact  and 
amount  of  his  need,  not  exceeding  8300  per  annum,  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  Stated  Clerk  to  forward  the  application  to  the  Board,  with  his  en- 
dorsement thereon  as  to  the  years  of  service  such  minister  has  rendered, 
his  field  or  fields  of  labor,  with  the  term  of  service  in  each,  and  his  need, 
as  determined  by  his  income  and  circumstances,  and  also  to  certify  that  the 
same  has  been  reported  to  the  Presbytery  and  is  recorded  upon  its  Minutes." 

b.  That  a  rule  be  added  as  follows : 

"10.  Ministers  from  other  denominations,  coming  into  our  Church,  or 
their  widows  or  orphans,  shall  not  be  placed  upon  the  roll  of  this  Board 
as  beneficiaries  unless  said  ministers  shall  have  rendered  active  service  in 
this  Church  for  at  least  five  years." — 1904,  p.  48. 

c.  That  Rule  16  of  the  Board  be  altered  [so  that  it]  will  read: 

"Aid  may  be  given  to  orphans  of  ministers  and  lay  missionaries,  as  the 
General  Assembly  says,  who  are  under  the  age  at  which  they  are  able  to 
earn  their  own  living,  and  in  exceptional  cases  to  orphans  who  have  been 
from  early  years  chronic  invalids,  or  to  those  who  have  become  chronic 
invalids  in  consequence  of  their  care  of  aged  and  infirm  parents.  The 
same  rule  applies,  in  case  of  orphans  asking  for  aid,  as  in  the  case  of  other 
beneficiaries  of  the  Board  in  regard  to  recommendations  and  annual  re- 
newals "  {Minutes,  General  Assembly,  1889,  p.  32). — 1906,  p.  35. 

[Note. — The  Rules  were  also  amended  as  to  routine  matters  at  the  following 
times  :  1898,  p.  33 ;  1899,  p.  35  ;  1900,  p.  41 ;  1903,  p.  34.] 

2.  By-Law  as  to  Investments  approved. 

4.  That  Art.  4,  Sec.  3,  of  the  By-Laws  of  this  Board,  relating  to  in- 
vestments of  funds  be  made  to  read  as  follows  :  "All  investment  of  funds 
which  are  left  to  the  management  of  this  Board  shall  be  made  in  such 
securities  as  are  sanctioned  by  the  laws  of  Pennsylvania  relating  to  in- 
vestments by  executors  and  trustees,  or  in  such  other  good  securities  as 
mav  be  formally  authorized  by  not  less  than  two-thirds  of  the  members  of 
the' Board."— 1900,  p.  41 

3.  Closing  of  Westminster  House  approved. 

3.  The  Committee  further  recommends  that  the  request  of  the  Board 
of  Ministerial  Relief  to  close  the  Westminster  House  at  Perth  Amboy  at 
its  earliest  convenience,  and^to  transfer  such  of  the  guests  as  would  so 
desire  to  the  Merriam  House  at  Newton,  N.  J.,  be  granted. — 1902,  p.  148. 


1040  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

4.  Additional  endowment  approved. 

1.  That  the  Board  of  Relief  is  commended  to  the  churches  for  an  ad- 
ditional endowment  to  the  amount  of  one  million  dollars,  and  that  all 
pastors,  ministers  in  charge  of  the  churches,  and  church  Sessions  are 
urged  to  further  the  interests  of  the  Board  by  special  appeals  for  the 
Permanent  Fund,  as  well  as  by  annual  collections  for  current  needs. 

2.  That  the  Board  of  Relief  be  authorized  to  take  the  necessary  steps, 
and  if  deemed  advisable  to  appoint  Special  Representatives,  to  secure  the 
proposed  increase  of  the  Permanent  Fund. — 1902,  p.  19. 

[Note. — The  General  Assembly  of  1887  recommended  the  raising  of  $1,000,000 
for  the  Board.  The  Committee  in  charge  consisted  of  Bev.  George  P.  Hays,  I>.I>., 
Chairman,  Rev.  George  C.  Heckman,  D.D.,  Secretary,  and  Eev.  W.  H.  Roberts,  D.D., 
Treasurer.  The  Committee  raised  $606,000  in  cash  and  secured  many  legacies  for 
the  Board.] 

5.  Apportionment  upon  the  churches  approved. 

a.  That,  in  the  matter  of  provision  to  meet  the  needs  of  the  Board  an 
answer  be  given  in  the  affirmative,  and  that  an  immediate  apportionment 
be  made  among  the  churches  sufficient  to  meet  the  needs  of  the  Board, 
said  apportionment  to  be  determined  by  the  Committee  on  Sustentation. — 

1904,  p.  104. 

b.  A  request  was  sent  to  each  minister  and  church  Session  recommend- 
ing contributions  to  the  Board  of  Relief  for  the  year  ending  March  31, 

1905,  in  accordance  with  the  following  Plan  : 

A.  Churches  paying  salaries  of  $800  and  less,  to  give  at  least  ten  cents 
per  communicant. 

B.  Churches  paying  salaries  of  $800  to  $1200,  to  give  at  least  fifteen 
cents  per  communicant. 

C.  Churches  paying  salaries  of  $1200  and  upward,  to  give  at  least 
fifteen  cents  per  communicant,  and  in  addition  one  per  cent,  on  the  sal- 
aries of  their  ministers. 

D.  Churches  hitherto  contributing  to  the  Board  of  Relief  sums  con- 
siderably beyond  the  apportionment  above  suggested  to  continue  their 
generous  support  of  the  Board. — 1905,  p.  131. 

6.  Churches  to  give  reasons  for  failing  to  make  offerings. 

That  this  Assembly  reiterate  the  action  of  a  previous  Assembly,  calling 
on  all  Presbyteries  to  require  every  church  that  tails  to  make  an  offering 
to  this  Board  to  give  reasons  for  such  omission,  and  that  these  reasons  be 
not  sustained  unless  they  be  special  and  providential. — 1906,  p.  35. 

VII.    THE    FEEEDMEN'S    BOARD. 

1.  Salaried  Executive  Officer  approved, 
a.  Rev.  Henry  T.  McClelland,  D.D.,  Field  Secretary.— 1904,  p.  55. 

2.  Debt  of  the  Board  liquidated. 

[Note. — The  General  Assembly  of  1890  initiated  a  movement  by  which  the  debt 
of  $40,000  was  promptly  discharged.  Part  of  the  plan  was  the  adoption  of  an  ap- 
portionment upon  tlir  Presbyteries. — Minutes,  1899,  p.  157.] 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1041 

VIII.    THE    COLLEGE    BOARD. 

[Formerly  the  Board  of  Aid  for  Colleges  and  Academies.] 

1.  The  College  Endowment  Commission  established. 

The  Assembly  of  1903  created  the  College  Endowment  Commission, 
through  which  an  educational  fund  of  not  less  than  $12,000,000  should 
be  raised  within  three  years.  This  strong  Commission  has  been  at  work 
during  the  year ;  its  Report  is  in  your  hands,  and  we  assume  that  every 
Commissioner  has  read  it.  It  has  been  referred  by  the  Assembly  to  this 
Committee.  Without  rehearsing  the  story  of  the  Commission's  work,  we 
turn  at  once  to  its  conclusions,  in  which  the  Board  of  Aid  for  Colleges  and 
Academies  fully  concur. — 1904,  p.  107. 

[Note. — The  College  Endowment  Commission,  Rev.  Robert  F.  Coyle,  D.D.,  Chair- 
man, rendered  the  Church  large  service,  especially  in  connection  with  the  reorganiza- 
tion of  the  College  Board.] 

2.  Name  of  the  Board  changed  and  sphere  enlarged. 

1.  The  Board  of  Aid  for  Colleges  and  Academies  to  be  hereafter 
named  the  College  Board  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America. 

2.  Said  Board  to  be  enlarged  in  sphere  of  operation  and  executive 
force  so  as  the  more  widely  to  represent  the  Church,  and  so  as  the  more 
directly  and  efficiently  to  promote  college  interests  and  objects,  especially 
in  the  matter  of  endowment,  which  was  manifestly  approved  by  the  General 
Assembly  at  its  meeting  at  Los  Angeles. 

3.  The  headquarters  of  the  Board  to  be  in  New  York  City. — 1904, 
p.  108. 

3.  Constitution  of  the  Board,  1904. 

We  recommend  that  the  Constitution  of  the  reorganized  Board  shall 
be  as  follows : 

1.  The  name  of  this  Board  shall  be  The  College  Board  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  its  general  work 
shall  be  such  as  is  indicated  by  its  title.  It  may  aid  academies  in  its  dis- 
cretion in  the  matter  of  current  support,  but  shall  not  seek  endowment  for 
such  institutions. 

2.  The  Board  shall  consist  of  twenty-four  members,  one-half  of  whom 
shall  be,  and  two-thirds  of  whom  may  be,  laymen.  They  shall  be  divided 
into  three  classes,  one  class  to  be  elected  each  year  by  the  General 
Assembly.     The  Board  shall  have  power  to  fill  vacancies. 

3.  The  officers  of  the  Board  shall  be  a  President,  Vice-President,  a 
Secretary,  and  a  Treasurer. 

4.  The  headquarters  of  the  Board  shall  be  at  New  York,  and  the 
Executive  Committee  of  the  Board  shall  be  residents  in  New  York  or  the 
immediate  vicinity. 

5.  The  province  of  the  Board  shall  be : 

(a)  To  awaken  interest,  diffuse  information,  and  stimulate  prayer  in 
behalf  of  the  cause  with  which  it  is  charged. 

(6)  To  cooperate  with  colleges  which  come  into  relations  with  the  Board 
in  securing  endowment  for  them. 

66 


1042  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

(c)  To  cooperate  with  local  agencies  in  determining  sites  for  new 
colleges. 

(d)  To  decide  what  colleges  shall  be  given  annual  help  for  current 
expenses  ;  and  for  this  purpose, 

(e)  To  secure  an  annual  offering  from  the  churches. 

6.  The  Board  shall  call  au  Annual  Conference  of  Presbyterian  Colleges 
to  advise  the  Board  and  to  cooperate  in  securing  the  desired  results.  This 
Conference  may  nominate  two  members  of  the  Board  to  be  elected  each 
year  by  the  Assembly. 

7.  The  funds  received  by  the  Board  shall  be  devoted  either  to  the 
endowment  or  to  the  current  expenses  of  colleges,  and  shall  be  secured, 

(a)  By  special  applications  for  endowment,  under  the  approval  and 
general  directions  of  the  Board  ; 

(6)   By  annual  offerings  from  the  churches. 

8.  (a)  Every  college  hereafter  established,  as  a  condition  of  receiving 
aid,  shall  be  organically  connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  or  by  perpetual  charter  provision  shall  have 
two-thirds  of  its  Board  of  Control  members  of  this  Church. 

(b)  In  the  case  of  colleges  already  established,  and  not  included  under 
the  above  provisions,  appropriations  for  endowment  shall  be  so  made  as  to 
revert  to  the  Board  whenever  these  colleges  shall  pass  from  Presbyterian 
control. 

(c)  In  all  other  respects  the  disbursement  of  funds  by  the  Board  shall 
be  wholly  discretionary  with  the  Board,  both  as  to  amount  and  direction, 
subject  always  to  the  control  of  the  General  Assembly. 

(d)  The  Board  shall  endeavor  to  have  all  gifts  for  Christian  education 
within  our  Church  either  passed  through  its  treasury  or  reported  to  it,  that 
its  Reports  may  show  from  year  to  year  what  sums,  and  from  what  sources, 
are  given  to  this  cause. 

9.  It  shall  be  the  policy  of  the  Board  to  limit  the  number  of  colleges 
in  any  region,  so  as  to  secure  strong  institutions  rather  than  many  weak 
ones,  and  in  carrying  out  this  policy  colleges  may  be  consolidated  when 
deemed  advisable  by  the  Board.  Colleges  coming  into  existence  without 
the  approval  of  the  Board,  and  colleges  which  refuse  to  cousolidate  when 
so  directed  by  the  Board,  may  be  denied  aid  from  the  Board. — 1904, 
p.  110. 

4.  Transfer  of  property  to  the  College  Board  ordered. 

That  the  Board  of  Aid  for  Colleges  and  Academies  and  the  College 
Board  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  be 
directed  to  take  the  legal  steps  necessary  for  the  transfer  of  the  former 
Board,  and  its  property,  cash,  and  securities. — 1904,  p.  110. 

5.  Christian  Basis  of  Education  approved. 

That  the  Assembly  again  expresses  its  hearty  approval  of  the  policy  of 
the  Board  in  requiring  Bible  study  as  a  basis  of  cooperation,  and  would 
suggest  in  addition  a  curriculum  designed  to  develop  Christian  belief  and 
character.— 1906,  p.  90. 

6.  Salaried  officer  confirmed. 
Rev.  James  Stuart  Dickson,  D.D.,  Secretary. — 1905,  p.  101. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1043 

IX.  COMMITTEE    ON    SYSTEMATIC    BENEFICENCE. 

1.  Appropriations  voted  for  expenses. 
Appropriation  voted  each  year  of  a  sum  not  exceeding  $1000. — 1898, 
p.  118;  1906,  p.  209. 

[Note. — See  also  this  Supplement,  under  Directory  for  Worship,  Chapter  VI.] 

X.  PERMANENT    COMMITTEE    ON    TEMPERANCE. 

1.  Board  of  Publication  instructed  to  print  literature. 

In  view  of  the  lack  of  contributions  to  this  Committee  by  the  churches, 
which  prevents  the  successful  prosecution  of  its  work,  we  recommend  that 
the  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school  Work  be  instructed  to  print 
gratuitously  for  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Temperance  such  literature 
as  the  Committee  may  prepare  for  its  use,  to  the  amouut  of  $500  in  value 
annually.— 1900,  p.  138. 

[Note. — Appropriation  also  voted  in  1905,  p.  180,  up  to  $1000.] 

2.  Pages  assigned  in  The  Assembly  Herald. 
That  the  Publishing  Committee  of  The  Assembly  Herald  be  instructed 
to  allot  two  pages  monthly  for  the  use  of  the  Permanent  Committee  on 
Temperance,  the  Permanent  Committee  to  bear  its  appropriate  share  of 
the  deficit,  if  any,  incurred  in  the  publication  of  the  Herald. — 1901, 
p.  151. 

3.  Interdenominational  Conference  approved. 

a.  That  we  direct  the  Permanent  Committee  to  open  correspondence 
with  the  officers  or  judicatories  of  sister  Churches,  asking  that  Temperance 
Committees  be  by  them  appointed,  with  a  view  to  mutual  conference  and 
combined  effort  against  our  common  foe,  the  liquor  traffic. — 1903,  p.  160. 

b.  That  the  Plan  of  Federation  of  Churches  on  Temperance  Work  is 
approved. — 1906,  p.  177. 

4.  Temperance  missionaries  authorized. 
That  if  the  funds  warrant  it  we  recommend  the  employment  of  Tem- 
perance missionaries,  not  to  exceed  five  in  number,  and  that  two  of  them 
shall  be  colored  men,  who  will  labor  among  their  own  people. — 1904, 
p.  190. 

5.  Appointment  of  Advisory  Members  authorized. 

That  the  Permanent  Committee  be  permitted  to  name  twenty-four  per- 
sons throughout  the  various  Synods  who  shall  be  Advisory  Members  of 
the  Committee. — 1905,  p.  181. 

6.   Petitions,  etc.,  to  the  U.  S.  Government  authorized. 

a.  Army  Canteens.— 1 899,  p.  94;  1900,  p.  165. 

b.  Chinese  Opium  traffic. — 1901,  p.  151. 

c.  Hepburn  Bill,  Interstate  Commerce. — 1903,  p.  160. 

d.  Oklahoma,  Constitution  of  State  of.— 1904,  p.  191. 

e.  Sale  of  Liquor  in  Government  Buildings,  etc.— 1898,  p.  104;  1902, 
p.  102 ;  1903,  p.  159  ;  1905,  p.  180. 

f.  Sale  of  Liquor  in  the  ..New  Territories  and  the  New  Hebrides. — 
1899,  p.  93;  1900,  p.  138. 


1044  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

7.  Presbyteries  and  Sessions  to  appoint  Committees. 

That  Presbyteries  and  Sessions,  which  have  not  already  done  so,  be 
uro-ed  to  appoint  Committees  on  Temperance  to  cooperate  with  the  work 
of  the  Permanent  Committee,  and  to  give  such  place  and  emphasis,  in 
their  own  spheres,  to  this  subject,  that  the  people  may  be  instructed  and 
made  to  appreciate  the  gravity  of  existing  conditions  and  the  responsi- 
bilities of  Christians.— 1899,  p.  93. 

XI.    THE    ASSEMBLY    HERALD. 

1.  Establishment  of  The  (new)  Assembly  Herald,  1898. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  records  its  appreciation  of  the 
valuable  service  rendered  in  the  conduct  of  its  missionary  publications  by 
the  Committee  on  The  Church  at  Home  and  Abroad  for  eleven  years  with- 
out compensation  ;  by  the  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school  Work, 
which  has  without  remuneration  borne  the  burden  of  the  financial  con- 
duct of  the  magazine,  and  by  the  Rev.  William  H.  Hubbard,  who  has 
so  untiringly  striven  to  solve  the  problem  of  a  cheaper  and  more  widely 
circulated  missionary  periodical. 

Resolved,  That  The  Church  at  Home  and  Abroad  and  The  Assembly 
Herald  as  at  present  conducted  be  discontinued  on  January  1,  1899. 

Resolved,  That  in  their  place  the  General  Assembly  do  authorize  and 
provide  for  the  publication  of  a  single  monthly  magazine  representing  the 
interests  of  all  the  Boards,  under  the  name  of  The  Assembly  Herald,  the 
publication  to  begin  with  January  1,  1899. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  the  magazine  be  authorized  to  employ 
and  to  fix  the  salary  of  a  business  manager  and  editor,  who  shall  have 
independent  control  under  the  general  supervision  of  the  Committee  of  all 
matters  pertaining  to  the  production  of  the  magazine,  but  always  in 
friendly  conference  with  the  executive  officers  of  the  Boards,  and  es- 
pecially where  questions  of  their  administrative  policy  are  concerned. — 
1898,  p.  89. 

2.  New  Committee  of  Management  appointed. 

1.  That  The  Assembly  Herald  be  continued  as  the  official  representative 
of  the  work  of  the  Church,  especially  as  carried  on  by  the  eight  Boards 
of  the  Church. 

2.  That  a  Committee  of  three  be  appointed  as  follows  :  One  by  the 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  one  by  the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  and  one 
by  the  remaining  six  Boards  of  the  Church,  and  that  this  Committee  be 
given  entire  control  of  The  Assembly  Herald  in  all  matters  pertaining  to 
its  production  and  editing. 

3.  That  all  deficits  be  met  by  the  Boards  as  follows  :  The  Board  of 
Foreign  Missions  to  pay  one-third,  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  to  pay 
one-third,  and  the  remaining  six  Boards  to  pay  one-third  ;  and  that  all 
profits  be  divided  among  the  eight  Boards  in  a  like  proportion. — 1899, 
p.  89. 

[Note. — See  also  under  Temperance,  this  Supplement,  p.  1043.] 

XII.    COMMITTEE    ON    EVANGELISTIC    WORK. 

[While  this  Committee  is  a  Special  Committee,  its  work  is  of  such  a 
character  as  to  require  some  statements  concerning  it  in  this  volume.] 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1045 

1.  Action  of  the  Assembly  of  1901. 

Whereas,  It  is  the  obligation  of  the  Church  as  a  missionary  organiza- 
tion to  carry  the  message  of  salvation  to  every  creature  ;  and, 

Whereas,  To  this  end,  as  part  of  the  Forward  Movement  of  the 
Twentieth  Century,  evangelistic  services,  so  called,  may  be  made,  with  the 
Divine  blessing,  a  powerful  and  efficient  factor,  especially  in  our  cities  ; 
therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Moderator  be  requested  and  authorized  to  appoint  a 
Special  Committee  of  twelve,  to  consist  of  six  ministers  and  six  elders, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  stimulate  the  churches  in  evangelistic  work,  to 
consider  the  methods  of  such  work  and  of  its  conduct  in  relation  to  the 
churches,  and  to  report  with  recommendations  to  the  next  General 
Assembly.— 1901,  p.  119. 

Committees  appointed,  1901-1906. 

The  Special  Committee  on  Evangelistic  Work  was  announced  by  the 
Moderator  and  is  as  follows :  Elder — John  H.  Converse,  Chairman. 
Ministers — George  T.  Purves,  D.D.,  J.  Wilbur  Chapman,  D.D.;  W.  J. 
Chichester,  D.D.;  S.  S.  Palmer,  D.D.;  John  Balcom  Shaw,  D.D.; 
George  P.  Wilson,  D.D.  Elders — John  Willis  Baer,  James  I.  Buchanan, 
S.  P.  Harbison,  E.  A.  K.  Hackett,  Charles  S.  Holt.— 1901,  p.  170. 

See  also  1902,  p.  140;  1903,  p.  37;  1904,  p.  46;  1905,  p.  53;  1906, 
p.  25. 

3.  Employment  of  evangelists  authorized.     * 

The  General  Assembly,  having  already  taken  action  in  connection  with 
the  Report  of  the  Special  Committee  on  Evangelistic  Work  covering  all 
points  in  [certain]  Overtures  except  two,  viz.,  (1)  making  the  Committee 
permanent,  and  (2)  authorizing  it  to  employ  evangelists,  it  is  recom- 
mended (1)  that  no  action  be  taken  at  this  time  on  making  the  Com- 
mittee permanent  ;  and  (2),  that  the  Committee  be  authorized  to  employ 
evangelists,  to  meet  applications  from  churches,  Presbyteries,  and  Synods, 
and  consistently  with  the  provisions  of  the  resolutions  already  adopted  by 
this  Assembly.— 1902,  p.  124. 

4.  Powers  of  the  Committee. 

This  Committee  shall  cooperate  with  the  Presbyteries  and  Synods ; 
shall  have  power  to  name  advisory  members  and  to  constitute  an  Executive 
Committee  of  not  less  than  five  for  the  transaction  of  business  in  the 
intervals  between  regular  meetings  ;  and  shall  report  to  the  next  General 
Assembly.  The  expenses,  except  for  the  attendance  of  members  upon 
the  regular  meetings,  shall  be  met  by  voluntary  contributions. — 1902, 
p.  38  ;  1903,  p.  40,  etc. 

5.  Presbyteries  and  Synods  to  cooperate. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  General  Assembly  recommend  the  appointment, 
or  continuance,  of  Committees  on  Evangelistic  Work  in  each  Presbytery 
and  Synod. 

Resolved,  3.  That  the  coming  year  be  signalized  by  aggressive  work 
for  the  winning  of  souls,  and  that  the  General  Assembly  recommend  to 
each  church,  by  special  services  or  otherwise,  to  take  definite  and  system- 
atic measures  to  that  end,  and  that  Presbyteries  be  instructed  to  initiate 
and  direct  the  work  so  far  as  necessary. — 1902,  p.  38. 


1046  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

6.    Primary   responsibility   upon  pastors    and  Sessions.    Committee  to 
pass  upon  qualifications  of  evangelists. 

Resolved,  3.  That  the  General  Assembly  emphasizes  the  primary 
responsibility  for  evangelistic  effort  as  resting  upon  pastors  and  Sessions; 
at  the  same  time  the  Assembly  again,  as  heretofore,  recommends  the  use 
of  accredited  evangelists,  and  therefore  authorizes  the  Committee  to  pass 
upon  the  qualifications  of  evangelists,  and  to  promote  their  employment  so 
far  as  their  services  may  be  needed,  and  only  such  evangelists  should  be 
commended  to  the  Church  at  large  as  have  the  proper  endorsement  and 
approval  of  their  brethren,  and  the  seal  of  God's  approval  upon  their 
ministry.— 1903,  p  40.     Also  1902,  p.  39,  etc. 

7.  Pastors  to  be  sought  with  special  evangelistic  gifts. 
Resolved,  6.  That  the  General  Assembly's  Committee  is  hereby  directed 
to  seek  out  pastors  with  special  evangelistic  gifts,  and  to  request  their 
several  churches  and  Presbyteries  to  release  them  for  a  portion  of  the 
year,  in  order  that  they  may  serve  in  the  field  at  large,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  General  Assembly's  Committee,  and  in  cooperation  with  the 
Evangelistic  Committees  of  the  Synods  and  Presbyteries  ;  the  expenses  of 
the  work  to  be  provided  either  by  subscription  or  by  collection.  The 
General  Assembly's  Committee  is  instructed  to  use  every  effort  to  bring 
together  the  churches  seeking  the  assistance  of  such  pastors  and  the  pastors 
willing  to  devote  their  time  to  the  work.  The  pastors  of  the  churches 
are  requested  to  bring  their  needs  to  the  attention  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly's Committee. — 1903,  p,  41. 

8.  Interdenominational  evangelistic  movements  approved. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  hereby  authorizes  such  coopera- 
tion with  other  evangelical  denominations  as  may  make  it  possible  to 
move  in  a  more  marked  way  the  cities  of  our  land.  The  evangelistic 
movement  should  include,  whenever  it  may  seem  to  be  wise  on  the  part  of 
pastors  and  Sessions,  simultaneous  meetings  in  cities  in  cooperation  with 
other  evangelical  denominations  ;  and  where  such  meetings  are  held,  prep- 
aration should  be  not  only  thoroughly  made  before  the  meetings,  but 
results  carefully  followed  up  and  the  harvest  garnered  after  the  meetings. 
—1905,  p.  35. 

9.  The  Evangelistic  Committee  and  the  Board  of  Home  Missions. 
[See  this  Supplement,  p.  1030.] 

XIII.     PERMANENT    COMMITTEE    ON    YOUNG    PEOPLE'S    WORK. 

[Note. — The  General  Assembly  of  1902  appointed  a  Special  Committee  on  Young 
People's  Societies,  as  a  result  of  whose  work  the  Permanent  Committee  was  consti- 
tuted. See  Minutes,  1903,  pp.  60-65.  The  Permanent  Committee,  however,  was 
discontinued  by  the  Assembly  of  1906,  and  its  work  transferred  to  the  Board  of 
Publication  and  S.  S.  Work.     See  Minutes,  p.  183.     See  also  this  Supplement,  p.  1036.] 

XIV.    THE    MINISTERIAL   SUSTENTATION    FUND. 

1.  Report  of  Committee  on  Sustentation,  1903. 

The  Committee  also  considered  the  question  of  Ministerial   Sustentation 

as  related    to    a    fixed    provision  for  honorably  retired  ministers.     Being 

impressed  with  the  great  importance  of  this  subject,  the  Committee  asks  to 

be  continued,  to  report  thereupon  to  the  next  Assembly. — 1903,  p.    165. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1047 

[Note. — The  Committee  on  Sustentation  was  appointed  in  1902,  Minutes,  p.  20. 
A  part  of  its  work  will  be  found  stated  in  this  Supplement,  p.  1027.] 

2.    Plan  of  Sustentation  for  Ministers  approved. 

a.  1.  That  the  Assembly  hereby  approves  of  the  preparation  of  a  Plan 
of  Sustentation  for  ministers  who  are  honorably  retired  by  action  of  Pres- 
bytery, either  at  the  age  of  70  or  at  disability  prior  to  such  age  duly 
certified,  and  also  for  the  widows  [and  minor  children]  of  ministers. — 1904, 
p.  219. 

b.  1.  That  the  Assembly  hereby  approves  the  principles  of  the  Plan  as 
set  forth  in  this  Report. — 1905,  p.  136. 

c.  In  connection  with  this  Plan,  the  Committee  offers  the  following 
recommendations  for  adoption  : 

1.  That  the  Plan  of  the  Ministerial  Sustentation  Fund  be  and  hereby 
is  approved. 

2.  That  a  Committee  of  Administration  be  appointed  consisting  of 
fifteen  members,  of  whom  seven  shall  be  ministers,  who  shall  have  power 
to  approve  the  details  of  organization  and  to  take  the  other  steps  neces- 
sary to  put  the  Plan  into  immediate  operation.  The  Committee  shall 
also  have  power  to  appoint  a  special  representative,  and  shall  be  known 
as  the  Committee  on  the  Ministerial  Sustentation  Fund.  The  expenses  of 
the  Committee  shall  be  provided  by  voluntary  contributions. 

3.  That  the  headquarters  of  the  Committee  be  located  in  New  York 
City,  and  that  for  the  present  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assembly  be  the 
Treasurer. — 1906,  p.  115. 

[Note.— See  for  this  Plan,  Minutes  of  1906,  pp.  112-115.] 

3.  Membership  of  the  Committee,  1906. 

The  Moderator  announced  the  following  Committee,  to  be  known  as 
the  Committee  of  Administration  of  the  Ministerial  Sustentation  Fund  : 
Ministers— Howard  Duffield,  D.D.,  Henry  Elliott  Mott,  D.D.,  John  R. 
Sutherland,  D.D.,  W.  H.  Roberts,  D.D.,  A.  Edwin  Keigwin,  D.D., 
Cleland  B.  McAfee,  D.D.,  Robert  Mackenzie,  D.D.  Laymen — Thomas 
W.  Synnott,  Thomas  D.  Foster,  Clayton  E.  Crafts,  Francis  B.  Griffin, 
Gilbert  Colgate,  Ernest  R.  Ackerman,  J.  M.  Studebaker,  Louis  H. 
Severance. — 1906,  p.  117. 

XV.    THE  PERMANENT  COMMITTEE  ON  CHRISTIAN  WORK  AMONG  SEAMEN 

AND    SOLDIERS. 

1.  Action  of  the  Assembly,  1906. 

[Note. — The  General  Assembly  in  1903  appointed  a  Special  Committee  on  Work 
among  Seamen,  which  reported  from  year  to  year  until  1906,  when  it  was  made  a 
Permanent  Committee.] 

a.  (1)  That  this  Committee  be  known  hereafter  as  the  Permanent 
Committee  on  Christian  Work  among  Seamen  and  Soldiers. 

(2)  That  the  Assembly  expresses  its  hearty  approval  of  the  plan  of 
cooperation,  relative  to  the  appointment  of  Naval  Chaplains,  between  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and  the  Com- 
mittee, and  authorizes  the  Committee  to  act  for  the  Assembly  in  this 
matter  ;  and  recommends  that  similar  cooperation  should  be  sought  with 
the  Secretary  of  War  relative  to  the  appointment  of  Army  Chaplains. 


1048  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

(3)  That  the  Assembly  confirms  the  action  taken  by  the  Committee  in 
seeking  cooperation  of  all  the  Presbyteries  in  the  interests  of  seamen,  and 
suggests  that  similar  action  be  taken  in  behalf  of  soldiers. 

(4)  That  the  Assembly  recommends  that  each  Presbytery,  coming  in 
touch  with  the  classes  designated,  appoint  a  Standing  Committee,  to  be 
known  as  the  Committee  on  Christian  Work  among  Seamen  and  Soldiers, 
to  cooperate  with  the  Assembly's  Committee  in  promoting  the  religious 
welfare  of  these  two  classes  of  our  citizens  who  are  so  largely  deprived  of 
religious  and  social  privileges. 

(6)  That  the  resignation  of  the  Rev.  E.  R.  Craven,  D.D.,  as  Chair- 
man be  accepted,  with  the  thanks  of  the  Assembly  for  his  services,  and 
that  he  be  requested  to  retain  his  membership  in  the  Committee ;  that 
the  Rev.  Henry  F.  Lee  be  appointed  Chairman  and  the  Rev.  J.  H. 
Edwards,  D.D.,  Vice-Chairman  ;  that  the  following  additional  members 
be  reappointed  :  the  Rev.  Donald  McLaren,  D.D.,  the  Rev.  C.  A.  R. 
Janvier,  the  Rev.  John  Bancroft  Devins,  D.D.,  the  Rev.  George 
McPherson  Hunter,  Homer  L.  Pound,  and  Richard  H.  Wallace. 

(7)  That  the  Committee  be  increased  to  fifteen  members,  the  new 
members  to  be  appointed  by  the  Moderator  in  consultation  with  the 
representative  of  the  Committee  presenting  this  Report. 

(8)  That  the  expenses  of  the  Committee  be  met  by  voluntary  contri- 
butions ;  and  the  Committee  is  recommended  for  contributions  for  its 
expenses  to  the  beneficence  of  churches  and  individuals  interested  in  the 
spiritual  welfare  of  seamen  and  soldiers. — 1906,  p  192. 

b.  The  Moderator  anuouuced  the  following  additional  members  of  the 
Permanent  Committee  on  Christian  Work  among  Seamen  and  Soldiers : 
Ministers— Teunis  S.  Hamlin,  D.D.,  T.  Calvin  McClelland,  D.D.,  W. 
Brenton  Greene,  D.D.  Ruling  Elders — Hon  H.  F.  B.  McFarland. 
Harry  P.  Ford,  Real  Admiral  John  C.  Watson.— 1906,  p.  241. 

XVI.    THE    PRESBYTERIAN    BROTHERHOOD. 

1.   Committee  appointed  on  Men's  Societies. 

a.  "The  Synod  of  Ohio  respectfully  overtures  the  Assembly  to  appoint 
a  Special  Committee,  which  shall  make  full  investigation  of  the  question 
of  Men's  Societies,  and  report,  with  the  view  to  the  formation  of  a  Men's 
Order,  or  Brotherhood,  within  the  Presbyterian  Church,  which  shall  be 
distinctively  Presbyterian  in  name  and  purpose,  and  providing  for  Pres- 
byterial,  Synodical,  and  National  Conventions,  for  the  purpose  of  bring- 
ing Presbyterian  men  together  in  the  interests  of  the  Presbyteriau  Church, 
and  in  the  interest  of  winning  men  to  Christ."  It  is  recommended  that 
a  Committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  report  as  desired,  and  that  the  Stated 
Clerk  be  instructed  to  place  at  its  disposal  such  information  as  comes  to 
his  office  in  the  regular  Reports  of  the  Presbyteries. — 1905,  p.  82. 

b.  Special  Committee  on  Men's  Societies  :  Ministers — John  Clark  Hill, 
D.D.,  John  Balcom  Shaw,  D.D.,  S.  Edward  Youn^,  D.D.  Ruling 
Elders— Andrew  Stevenson  and  W.  T.  Ellis.— 1905,  p.  182. 

Additional  Members :  Ministers — Alfred  H.  Barr  and  D.  M.  Benham. 
Elders — Charles  T.  Thompson,  Dwight  H.  Day,  and  John  M.  Patterson. — 
1906,  p.  84. 

2.  Organization  of  the  Brotherhood  authorized. 

In  view  of  the  results  of  your  Committee's  investigation,  it  is  recom- 
mended : 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1049 

1.  That  this  General  Assembly  authorizes  the  formation  of  a  Brother- 
hood within  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  to 
include  all  men's  organizations  now  existing  or  hereafter  to  be  formed  in 
connection  with  local  congregations. 

2.  It  is  further  recommended  : 

(a)  That  all  existing  organizations  of  men  in  our  congregations  which 
declare  their  adoption  of  Article  2  of  the  Provisional  Plan,  hereinafter 
given,  be  hereby  recognized  as  charter  organizations  of  the  Brotherhood. 

(b)  That  in  all  our  congregations,  where  there  is  at  present  no  such  or- 
ganization, steps  be  taken,  wherever  possible,  to  secure  some  organization 
of  men. 

(c)  That  all  Presbyteries  and  Synods  appoint  a  Standing  Committee  on 
the  Brotherhood,  for  the  purpose  of  fostering  in  whatever  ways  may  be 
expedient  organized  work  for  men  in  the  churches,  and  that  these  com- 
mittees arrange  for  Presbyterial  aud  Synodical  Conventions  of  the  laymen 
within  their  bounds. 

(d)  That  the  General  Assembly  appoint  each  year  a  Standing  Com- 
mittee on  the  Brotherhood. 

(e)  That  the  Assembly  appoint  a  Committee  on  Men's  Societies,  con- 
sisting of  five  Ministers  and  five  Elders,  for  the  purpose  of  perfecting  and 
promoting  this  movement  on  the  lines  set  forth  in  the  Provisional  Plan. 
This  Committee  shall  arrange  for  the  first  convention,  which  shall  be  held 
without  expense  to  the  General  Assembly. 

(/)  That  a  convention  of  the  laymen  of  the  Church  be  held,  under 
the  authorization  and  approval  of  the  General  Assembly,  as  soon  as 
practical. 

3.  Constitution  for  the  Brotherhood  approved. 

3.  That  this  Assembly  approves  and  adopts  the  following  Provisional 
Plan  for  the  organization  of  the  Brotherhood  : 

(1)  The  name  of  this  organization  shall  be  The  Presbyterian  Brother- 
hood. 

(2 )  The  object  of  the  Brotherhood  shall  be  to  secure  the  organization  of 
the  men  of  our  churches,  with  a  view  to  spiritual  development,  fraternal 
relations,  denominational  fealty,  the  strengthening  of  fellowship,  and  the 
engagement  in  works  of  Christian  usefulness. 

(3)  Conventions  shall  be  held  from  time  to  time  for  mutual  counsel 
and  inspiration.  Each  organization  shall  be  entitled  to  at  least  one  repre- 
sentative in  such  conventions,  and  one  representative  for  each  additional 
one  hundred  members  or  fraction  thereof  not  less  than  twenty-five.  Each 
convention  shall  plan  for  the  meeting  of  the  convention  following,  and 
shall  appoint  such  committees  and  officers  as  may  be  necessary. 

(4)  The  powers  of  the  annual  convention  shall  be  advisory  and 
declarative  only,  and  no  action  taken  by  the  convention  shall  be  binding 
on  any  local  organization  unless  adopted  by  regular  action  according  to 
its  Constitution. 

(o)  The  Brotherhood  shall  report  to  the  General  Assembly  annually, 
and  shall  employ  such  means  as  may  be  necessary  to  secure,  in  coopera- 
tion with  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly,  detailed  annual  re- 
ports from  all  local  organizations. 

(6)  It  is  distinctly  declared  that  the  purpose  of  this  plan  is  to  bring  all 
existing  organizations  in  our  churches  into  a  close  working  union,  without 
in  any  way  imposing  on  them  a  definite  form  of  organization,  and  leaving 


1050  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

them  absolutely  free  to  prosecute  any  form  or  method  of  Christian  activity 
that  may  be  adapted  to  the  local  organization  ;  provided,  however,  that 
the  Constitution  of  the  local  organization  shall  declare  that  it  is  to  be 
governed  by  the  principles  set  forth  in  Chapter  XXIII.  of  the  Form  of 
Government  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.,  and  therefore 
"  be  under  the  immediate  direction,  control,  and  authority  of  the  Session 
of  such  Church."— 1906,  pp.  65,  66. 

XVII.    BOARDS    AND    AGENCIES    RECEIVED,    MAY    24,    1906. 

[See  this  Supplement,  p.  932,  and  Minutes,  1906,  p.  399-7.] 
II.     THE   THEOLOGICAL    SEMINARIES. 

I.    GENERAL    MATTERS. 

1.  Conference  of  the  Seminaries  requested  on  certain  matters. 

Among  the  subjects  submitted  to  your  Committee  from  the  theological 
seminaries  were  two  which  we  believe  should  receive  special  consideration. 
One  had  reference  to  the  terms  of  admission  to  the  seminaries  and  the 
other  to  the  length  of  the  course  of  study.  Your  Committee  would  rec- 
ommend that  the  General  Assembly  adopt  the  following : 

Resolved,  That  the  Governing  Boards  of  the  several  seminaries  under 
the  care  of  the  Assembly  are  hereby  requested  to  meet,  through  their  rep- 
resentatives, and  consider  the  questions  of  the  terms  of  admission  to  the 
seminaries,  and  the  length  of  the  course  of  study,  and  such  other  matters 
as  may  concern  the  advancement  of  the  seminary  course  ;  and  also  to  con- 
sider the  methods  of  granting  beneficiary  aid,  presented  in  this  report,  as 
they  apply  to  the  Scholarship  Funds  of  the  seminaries  ;  and  to  report 
their  conclusions  to  the  next  General  Assembly. — 1900,  p.  71. 

[Nute. — The  Conference  met  with  every  Institution  represented  and  adopted  the 
paper  given  below]  : 

2.  Action  of  the  Conference  of  the  Seminaries. 

After  due  consideration  of  the  matters  submitted  by  the  Assembly,  the 
Conference,  voting  by  Seminaries,  took  the  following  action,  viz.: 

Resolved,  That  this  Conference  communicates  to  the  General  Assembly 
the  following : 

The  Conference  of  Representatives  of  the  Seminaries,  requested  to 
meet,  was  duly  convened,  and  after  prolonged  discussion  of  the  matters 
proposed  to  it,  found  that  the  representatives  were  agreed  upon — 

1.  The  importance  of  maintaining  the  present  period  of  studies  in  the 
Seminaries  ; 

2.  The  present  requirements  for  admission,  and  further  safeguarding 
them  as  to  those  subjects  immediately  requisite  for  the  pursuit  of  the 
Seminary  course  ; 

3.  Having  examined  the  methods  of  granting  beneficiary  aid  as  they 
apply  to  the  Scholarship  Funds  of  the  Seminaries,  submitted  to  us  (see 
Minutes  of  Assembly,  1900,  pp.  61-63  and  71),  we  find  that  we  are  in 
substantial  agreement  with  them,  and  especially  so  far  as  they  emphasize 
the  importance  of  making  a  scholarship  test  for  receiving  aid,  and  of 
making  provision,  so  far  as  possible,  for  those  students  who  do  not  desire 
a  direct  grant  from  the  Seminary  to  earn  or  to  borrow  the  necessary  funds. 
—1901,  p.  94. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1051 

3.  Aid  to  students. 

[See  No.  2  above.  Also  under  Board  of  Education,  this  Supplement, 
p.  1034.] 

4.  Rule  as  to  the  Seminaries  to  be  listed  in  the  Minutes. 
That  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assembly  be  instructed  to  include  in  the 
list  of  Seminaries  in  the  Appendix  to  the  Minutes  only  those  Seminaries 
that  report  to  the  General  Assembly. — 1903,  p.  156. 

5.  Instruction  in  Sabbath-school  Work  recommended. 

a.  The  Assembly  recommend  to  each  of  the  Theological  Seminaries  of 
the  Church  to  provide  such  instruction  for  their  students  in  the  principles 
and  methods  of  modern  Sabbath-school  work  as  will  prepare  the  young 
men  for  leadership  and  cooperation  in  the  activities  of  the  Sabbath-school, 
more  especially  in  connection  with  administration,  teacher  training,  and 
evangelistic  work.  — 1905,  p.  145. 

b.  That  in  view  of  the  nature  and  increasing  importance  of  the  work 
of  the  Sabbath-school  missionary,  and  of  the  value  of  special  training 
for  those  engaged  in  it,  the  General  Assembly,  in  accordance  with  a  sug- 
gestion from  the  Board,  recommends  to  such  institutions  of  learning  under 
the  control  of  our  Church,  as  may  find  it  desirable  and  practicable  to  do 
so,  the  inauguration  of  a  Two  Years'  Course  of  Special  Instruction  and 
Training  for  persons  intending  to  enter  this  work  ;  and  recommends  that 
the  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school  Work  should  urge  all  such 
persons  to  avail  themselves  of  such  a  course. — 1906,  p.  108. 

6.  Seminary  Reports  to  be  fuller. 

a.  That  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assembly  and  the  Chairman  of  this 
Committee  be  referred  the  matter  of  making  such  alterations  in  the  blank 
sent  to  the  Seminaries,  as  may  to  them  seem  necessary  to  secure  more 
fully  itemized  statements  of  receipts  and  disbursements.  — 1906,  p.  204. 

b.  That  the  Seminaries  be  requested  to  furnish  to  subsequent  Assem- 
blies such  itemized  statements  of  disbursements  as  will  really  inform  the 
Church  as  to  what  use  is  being  made  of  the  funds  entrusted  to  them. — 
1906,  p.  204.     • 

7.  Examinations  on  the  Standards  to  be  held. 
Whilst  recognizing  the  fact  that  more  or  less  space  is  given  in  all  our 
Theological  Seminaries  to  direct  instruction  in  the  doctrine  and  polity  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  the  General  Assembly  would  nevertheless  sug- 
gest that  all  the  students  be  required  to  pass  an  examination  on  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith  and  the  Form  of  Government  before  receiving  their 
diplomas.— 1898,  p.  129. 

8.  Instruction  to  be  given  on  the  Work  of  the  Boards. 
That  Theological  Seminaries  give  full  instruction   on  the  subject  of 
Systematic  Beneficence,  and  upon  the  history,  objects,   and  operations  of 
each  of  the  Boards  of  the  Church.— 1900,  p.  114. 

9.  Instruction  urged  in  the  English  Bible. 
That  inasmuch  as  many  of  the  students  coming  out  of  our  Seminaries 
display  a  lamentable  lack  ofL  practical   knowledge  of  the   English   Bible, 
the  Directors  or  Trustees  of  such  Seminaries  as  have  not  already  provided 


1052  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

such  courses  be  urged  to  arrange  for  regular  instruction  in  the  contents 
and  use  of  the  English  Bible,  and  the  Stated  Clerk  be  instructed  to  con- 
vey this  action  to  the  officers  of  these  institutions. — 1903,  p.  157  ;  also, 
1906,  p.  204. 

10.  Instruction  in  Missions  advised. 
The  General  Assembly  would  call  the   attention  of  the    Theological 
Seminaries  under  its  care  to  the  urgent  need  of  more  thorough  instruction 
in  Missions,  especially  with  view  to  training   home  pastors  who  shall   be 
able  to  interest  their  people  in  the  great  cause. — 1903,  p.  99. 

11.  Courses  for  Evangelists  recommended. 
That  the  Theological  Seminaries  be  requested,  as  soon  as  possible,  to 
make  provision  in  their  course  of  instruction  for  the  training  of  evangel- 
ists, and  that  the  attention  of  the  Seminaries  be  again  directed  to  the 
Resolution  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1902,  which  asks  that  arrange- 
ments be  made  for  instruction  in  evangelistic  methods  ;  and  that  emphasis 
be  laid  on  personal  work,  the  conduct  of  inquiry  meetings,  and  the  prepa- 
ration of  distinctively  evangelistic  sermons. — 1903,  p.  42. 

12.  Uniform  usage  as  to  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  recommended. 
That  inasmuch  as  the  Reports  of  the  Seminaries  indicate  a  divergence 
of  view  and  practice  as  to  the  scope  of  and  qualifications  for  the  Degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Divinity,  the  Seminaries  be  instructed  to  correspond  or  confer 
with  reference  to  procuring,  if  practicable,  a  uniform  usage. — 1903,  p.  157. 

13.   Students  passing  from  one  Seminary  to  another  must  present 
satisfactory  testimonials. 

That  our  Theological  Seminaries  be  reminded  of  the  rule  which  re- 
quires that  students  who  pass  from  one  of  our  seminaries  to  another  shall 
in  all  cases  present  satisfactory  testimonials  from  the  seminary  from  which 
they  come  ;  and  that  the  General  Assembly  hereby  urges  a  strict  observ- 
ance of  this  rule  in  the  interest  alike  of  the  Presbyteries,  the  Board  of 
Education,  and  the  Seminaries  themselves. — 1899,  p.  118. 

14.  Elections  of  Directors. 

[See  1898,  p.  125;  1899,  p.  114;  1900,  p.  141  ;  1901,  p.  135;  1902, 
p.  140  ;  1903,  p.  155  ;  1904,  p.  150  ;   1905,  p.  143  ;  1906,  p.  204. 

The  Assembly  has  relation  to  the  elections  of  Directors  in  Princeton, 
Western,  Kentucky,  McCormick,  San  Francisco,  Dubuque,  Newark,  and 
Omaha  Theological  Seminaries.] 

15.  Elections  of  Professors. 

[The  Assembly  has  relation  to  the  elections  of  Professors  in  the  Institu- 
tions named  below,  and  its  action  thereon  will  be  found  in  the  Minutes  as 
indicated]  : 

Princeton:  1900,  p.  141  ;  1901,  p.  132;  1903,  p.  152  ;  1906,  p.  204. 

Auburn:  1899,  p.  114;  1902,  p.  139;  1905,  p.  144. 

Western:   1900,  p.  141  ;   1901,  p.  132;  1904,  p.  150. 

Lane:  1905,  p.  144. 

Kentucky  :  1898,  p.  129  ;  1899,  p.  115  ;  1902,  p.  136  ;  1903,  p.  153. 

McCormick:  1898,  p.  129;  1899,  p.  115;  1901,  p.  133;  1902,  p. 
139;  1903.  p.  153;  1904,  p.  150;  1905,  pp.  142,  144;  1906,  p.  204. 

San  Francisco:  1903,  p.  154;  1904,  p.  150;  1906,  p.  204. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1053 

Dubuque:  1898,  p.  129;  1901,  pp.  133,  135;  1903,  p.  154;  1904,  p. 
150;  1905,  p.  144;  1906,  p.  204. 

Newark  :  1903,  p.  155. 

Lincoln:  1899,  p.  116;  1901,  p.  134;  1903,  p.  155;  1904,  p.  150; 
1905,  p.  144  ;  1906,  p.  204. 

Omaha:  1899,  p.  117;  1900,  p.  142;  1901,  p.  134;  1903,  p.  154; 
1905,  p.  144. 

II.     THE    SEPARATE    INSTITUTIONS. 
I.    PRINCETON    THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY. 

1.  Changes  in  the  Plan  of  the  Seminary. 

a.  That  permission  be  and  is  hereby  given  to  Princeton  Theological 
Seminary  in  order  to  give  the  Board  of  Directors  the  option  with  reference 
to  the  mode  of  conducting  examinations — making  them  oral  or  written,  or 
both — permission  to  strike  out  that  portion  of  Section  3,  Article  iv,  in  the 
plan  of  the  Seminary  beginning  with  the  word  "  all  "  and  ending  with  the 
word  "  proper,"  and  also  the  word  "present"  in  the  paragraph  following. 
—1898,  pp.  128,  175. 

b.  That  the  amendments  of  the  Plan  of  the  Princeton  Theological 
Seminary,  proposed  by  the  Board  of  Directors  of  that  institution  in  their 
Annual  Report  to  this  General  Assembly,  be  and  the  same  are  hereby 
adopted.— 1902,  p.  140. 

The  amendments  read  : 

Article  II.  Of  the  President  of  the  Seminary. — Sect.  1.  There  shall 
be  a  President  of  the  Seminary,  who  shall  be  elected  by  the  Board  of 
Directors ;  he  may  also  be  removed  by  the  said  Board  ;  but  his  election 
or  removal  shall  be  subject  to  the  veto  of  the  General  Assembly,  to  which 
body  the  election  or  removal  must  be  reported  at  its  next  meeting 
thereafter. 

Sect.  2.  Such  President  shall  by  virtue  of  such  election  be  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Faculty.  He  shall  be  inaugurated  in  such  manner  and  form 
as  the  Board  of  Directors  may  prescribe,  and  at  his  inauguration  shall 
make  the  subscription  and  declaration  required  of  a  Professor  ;  he  shall 
be  subject  to  the  regulations  made  by  the  Board  of  Directors  and  to  the 
prescriptions  of  the  plan  of  the  Seminary  with  regard  to  Professors.  He 
shall  be  the  representative  of  the  Seminary  before  the  Church  ;  he  shall 
be  the  administrative  agent  of  the  Seminary  in  matters  of  order  and  dis- 
cipline ;  he  shall  give  instruction  to  the  students  in  such  departments  as 
the  Board  of  Directors  may  direct  or   the  General  Assembly  may  order. 

Sect.  3.  Such  President  shall,  by  virtue  of  his  election  as  aforesaid, 
become  and  be  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  during  his  continu- 
ance in  office. 

Sect.  4.  The  salary  of  such  President  shall  be  fixed  by  the  Board  of 
Directors. 

Article  III.  Of  the  Board  of  Directors. — Sect.  1.  Apart  from  the 
President  of  the  Seminary,  the  Board  of  Directors  shall  consist  of  twenty- 
one  ministers  and  nine  ruling  elders  ;  of  whom  one-third,  or  seven  ministers 
and  three  ruling  elders,  shall  be  chosen  by  the  said  Board  annually,  to 
continue  in  office  three  years  ;  and  the  Board  shall  also  have  power  to  fill 
all  vacancies  which  may  occur  in  its  body ;  all  these  elections,  however, 
shall  be  subject  to  the  veto  of  the  General  Assembly,  to  whom  they  shall 
be  reported  at  its  next  meeting  thereafter. 


1054  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

Article  IV.  Of  the  Professors. — Sect.  9.  In  every  meeting  the  Presi- 
dmt  of  the  Seminary  or  the  Senior  Professor  present  shall  preside. 

All  subsequent  Articles  must  be  put  back  one  number. — 1902,  pp.  196, 
197. 

c.  That  the  following  changes  in  the  Constitution  of  Princeton  Semi- 
nary be  approved  : 

(a)  Section  3  of  Article  5  be  amended  to  read  as  follows  : 

"There  shall  be  an  examination  of  all  the  students  in  the  Seminary, 
under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Directors  or  of  a  Committee  of  that 
Board,  at  least  once  every  year.  Students  who  shall  have  regularly  aud 
diligently  studied  for  three  years  shall  be  admitted  to  an  examination  on 
the  subjects  specified  in  this  article.  All  such  examinations  shall  be 
conducted  by  the  professors,  either  in  writing  or  orally,  according  as  the 
Board  of  Directors,  or  their  Committee,  shall  request.  Oral  examination 
shall  be  conducted  in  the  presence  of  a  Committee  of  a  Board  of  Direc- 
tors, and  any  Director  present  at  any  oral  examination  may,  during  its 
progress  or  at  its  close,  supplement  it  with  such  questions  as  he  may  deem 
proper.  All  papers  in  written  examinations  received  from  students  by  the 
professors  shall  be  submitted  to  the  Board  of  Directors,  or  their  Com- 
mittee, with  such  recommendations  as  the  professors  may  wish  to  -make. 
Every  student  whose  final  examinations  shall  have  been  approved  by  the 
Board  of  Directors  shall  receive  a  certificate  of  approbation,  signed  by 
the  professor,  with  which  he  shall  be  remitted  to  the  Presbytery  under 
whose  care  he  is  placed,  to  be  disposed  of  as  such  Presbytery  shall  direct. 
Students  whose  final  examinations  are  not  approved  shall  remain  a  longer 
space  in  the  Seminary." 

(b)  That  Section  6  of  Article  3  of  said  Plan  be  amended  to  read  as 
follows : 

"  The  Secretary  of  the  Board  shall  keep  accurate  records  of  all  the 
proceedings  of  the  Directors,  and  it  shall  be  his  duty  to  lay  these  records 
before  the  General  Assembly  or  before  any  Committee  of  the  General 
Assembly  appoiuted  to  inspect  them,  whenever  he  is  requested  so  to  do  by 
the  General  Assembly  or  by  such  Committee." 

(c)  That  Section  14  of  Article  3  of  said  Plan  be  repealed,  which  sec- 
tion reads  as  follows : 

"  At  every  stated  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  unless  particular 
circumstances  render  it  inexpedient,  there  shall  be  at  least  one  sermon 
delivered,  in  the  presence  of  the  Board,  the  professors,  and  students,  by 
a  Director  or  Directors  previously  appointed  for  the  purpose." — 1903, 
p.  156. 

2.  Act  of  the  New  Jersey  Legislature  securing  legal  rights  of  control  for 
the  General  Assembly. 

An  act  to  recognize  the  existence  and  rights  and  duties  of  churches,  re- 
ligious societies,  and  denominations  of  Christians,  and  the  supreme  gov- 
erning bodies  thereof,  and  to  provide  for  the  enforcement  of  their  civil 
rights  and  claims  by  judicial  proceedings,  and  to  define  certain  words 
used  in  the  act. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of 
New  Jersey  : 

1.  Any  and  every  church,  religious  society,  or  denomination  of  Chris- 
tians now  or  hereafter  to  be  established  in  the  United  States  of  America, 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1055 

and  the  supreme  governing  body  thereof,  whether  sole  or  aggregate,  shall 
be  severally  recognized  in  this  State,  as  well  in  courts  of  justice  as  else- 
where, as  an  entity  bearing  the  name  by  which  it  is  commonly  called  and 
known,  the  want  of  any  civil  incorporation  notwithstanding  ;  and  said 
supreme  governing  body,  whether  sole  or  aggregate,  shall  be,  and  hereby 
is  authorized  to  bring  or  institute  and  maintain  any  action,  suit,  or  proceed- 
ing in  any  court  of  this  State,  to  enforce  the  civil  rights  or  claims  of  the 
whole  Church,  religious  society,  or  denomination  of  Christians. 

2.  The  words  or  phrases,  "church,"  "religious  society,"  "denomination 
of  Christians,"  as  in  this  act  used  and  employed,  are  hereby  defined  to 
mean  and  include,  and  shall  be  construed  in  courts  of  justice  and  else- 
where to  mean  and  include,  the  whole  body  of  religious  believers  having 
a  common  faith  and  polity. 

3.  This  act  shall  take  effect  immediatelv. 
Approved  March  15,  1898.— 1898,  p.  172. 

[Note. — The  Boards  of  Princeton  Theological  Seminary  secured  the  passage  of  the 
above  act  and  the  Assembly  approved.     See  this  Digest,  p.  441.] 

3.  An   Ordinance   respecting   the  Degree  of  Bachelor  of  Divinity  or 

Theology. 

1.  Be  it  ordained  by  the  Trustees  of  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  it  is  hereby  ordained  and  established  by  the 
authority  of  the  same,  that,  whenever  any  graduate  of  the  Seminary,  or 
other  person  who  has  done  approved  work  in  the  Seminary,  under  the 
direction  of  the  Faculty  of  Instruction,  shall  have  been  recommended  by 
the  Faculty  for  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Divinity  or  Theology  (the  recom- 
mendation being  made  after  a  satisfactory  examination  upon  a  course  of 
special  study  prescribed  to  all  candidates,  and  being  also  ratified  and 
approved  by  the  Directors),  such  degree  shall,  by  the  Seminary,  be  granted 
to  and  conferred  upon  such  graduate  or  other  person  so  recommended, 
with  all  such  rights,  honors,  and  privileges  as  are  usually  incident  to  such 
degree. 

2.  And  he  it  further  ordained  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  that  in  tes- 
timony of  the  conferring  of  such  degree  a  diploma  shall  issue  to  each  Bach- 
elor of  Divinity  or  Theology  to  which  (the  same  having  been  first  sub- 
scribed by  the  President  of  the  Faculty  and  by  the  President  of  the 
Directors)  the  President  of  the  corporation  shall  subscribe  his  name,  and 
the  Secretary  shall  set  the  seal  of  the  corporation  without  special  direction 
or  authority. 

A  true  extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary  at  Princeton,  N.  J. — 1898,  p.  174. 

[Note. — See  for  Report  to  the  Assembly,  1898,  p.  124 ;  also  see  Item  No.  12,  this 
Supplement,  p.  1052.] 

II.    WESTERN    THEOLOGICAL    SEMINARY. 

1.  Amendments  to  the  Plan  of  the  Seminary  approved. 

That  the  Plan  of  the  Western  Theological  Seminary  be  amended  by 
adding  to  Article  ii,  entitled  "  Of  the  Board  of  Direction,"  a  new  Section, 
to  he  numbered  12,  and  to  read  asfollows,  namely  :  "  It  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  Board  of  Directors  to  elect  one  of  the  professors  President  of  the 
Faculty  for  such  a  term  of  years,  and  under  such  instructions  as  to  his 
duties,  as  the  Board  may  think  best  adapted  to  serve  the  interests  of  the 


1056  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

institution."  That  Article  iii,  entitled  "  Of  Professors,"  Section  7,  be  so 
changed  that,  instead  of  the  words,  "in  every  meeting  the  senior  professor 
present  shall  preside,"  it  shall  read,  "  in  every  meeting  the  President,  or, 
in  his  absence,  the  senior  professor  present,  shall  preside."  Also  that  the 
words,  "the  senior  professor"  shall  be  changed  so  as  to  read,  "or,  in  case 
of  his  death,  absence  or  disability  to  act,  the  senior  professor  shall,"  etc. — 
1898,  p.  128. 

2.  Action  as  to  certain  property  interests. 

Resolved,  6.  Whereas,  The  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  have 
reported  that  the  title  to  certain  real  estate  held  for  the  use  and  benefit 
of  the  Western  Theological  Seminary  at  Allegheny  City,  in  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania,  is  vested  by  various  deeds  partly  in  the  General  Assem- 
bly, partly  in  the  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly,  partly  in  the  semi- 
nary, and  partly  in  the  Trustees  of  the  seminary  ;  and, 

Whereas,  The  Trustees  of  the  seminary  have  requested  the  Trustees  of 
the  General  Assembly  to  convey  to  the  former  body  all  the  right,  title, 
and  interest  of  the  latter  body  in  said  real  estate,  and  to  ratify  and  con- 
firm a  certain  perpetual  lease  affecting  a  portion  of  said  real  estate  exe- 
cuted to  Allegheny  City  by  the  Trustees  of  the  seminary  on  December  3, 
1849;  and, 

Whereas,  The  General  Assembly  believe  that  such  conveyance  and 
ratification  should  be  made  on  the  terms  and  conditions  hereinafter 
specified  ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  "  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  "  are  hereby  instructed  to 
cause  to  be  executed  and  delivered  to  "  The  Trustees  of  the  Western 
Theological  Seminary  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America  "  a  deed  of  conveyance  and  ratification,  in  due  form  of  law,  for 
the  purpose  and  to  the  effect  aforesaid  ;  Provided,  however,  That  the  said 
"  The  Trustees  of  the  Western  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  "  shall,  contemporaneously  with 
the  execution  and  delivery  of  such  deed,  and  in  accordance  with  the 
proposition  they  have  already  voluntarily  made,  agree,  certify,  and  declare, 
in  due  form  of  law,  and  in  consideration  of  said  conveyance  and  ratifica- 
tion, that  "the  property  of  said  seminary,  real  and  personal,  as  well  that 
which  it  now  has  or  is  entitled  to  as  that  which  it  may  hereafter  acquire 
by  gift,  devise,  bequest,  purchase,  or  otherwise,  is  and  shall  forever  continue 
to  be  held,  used,  and  employed  in  trust  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  said 
seminary  in  carrying  out  the  purpose  of  theological  education  according 
to  the  standards  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  and  subject  at  all  times  to  the  authority,  control,  and  direction 
of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America  as  to  the  use  and  disposition  thereof";  and,  Provided 
further,  That  said  Trustees  of  said  seminary  shall  also,  in  due  form  of 
law,  agree  to  submit  annually  to  the  General  Assembly  a  full  and  true 
Statement  and  Report  of  their  finances  and  investments. — 1902,  p.  141. 

III.    THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  OF  KENTUCKY. 

1.  Act  consenting  to  the  consolidation  of  Danville  and  Louisville  Theo- 
logical Seminaries. 
It  has  been  made  to  appear  to  this  General   Assembly  that  an  agree- 
ment has  been  made  and  entered  into  by  and  between  the  Trustees  of  the 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1057 

Theological  Seminary,  under  the  care  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  at  Danville,  in 
the  State  of  Kentucky,  commonly  called  The  Danville  Theological  Semi- 
nary, on  the  one  part,  and  The  Louisville  Presbyterian  Theological  Semi- 
nary, commonly  called  The  Louisville  Seminary,  on  the  other  part.  The 
said  Louisville  Seminary  is  under  the  control  of  the  Synods  of  Kentucky 
and  Missouri,  in  connection  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States. 

Under  and  by  virtue  of  this  agreement  the  two  seminaries  above  men- 
tioned are  to  be  consolidated  into  one  corporation  under  the  name  and 
style  of  The  Presbyterian  Theological  Seminary  of  Kentucky,  which  will 
be  called  in  this  Minute  The  Kentucky  Seminary.  Under  the  terms  of 
that  agreement  the  management  and  control  of  said  Kentucky  Seminary 
shall  be  vested  in  a  Board  known  as  The  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Theological  Seminary  of  Kentucky.  Said  Board  shall  consist 
of  twenty-four  members,  unless  and  until  the  number  of  said  Board  shall 
be  changed  (which  may  be  done)  by  agreement  between  the  Synod  of 
Kentucky,  which  is  in  connection  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  on  the  one  side,  and  the  Synods  of  Kentucky 
and  Missouri,  which  are  in  conuection  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States,  on  the  other  side.  One-half  of  the  members  of  said 
Board  shall  be  elected  by  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  in  connection  with  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  one-half  shall 
be  elected  by  the  Synods  of  Kentucky  and  Missouri,  in  connection  with 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  ;  and  the  election  of  mem- 
bers of  the  Board  shall  be  so  made  that  said  Synod  of  Kentucky,  in  con- 
nection with  this  Assembly,  on  the  one  side,  and  said  Synods  of  Kentucky 
and  Missouri,  in  connection  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States,  on  the  other  side,  respectively,  shall  at  all  times  have  an  equal 
number  of  representatives  in  the  Board. 

The  election  of  directors  by  the  said  Synods,  respectively,  shall  be  sub- 
mitted to  each  of  the  General  Assemblies  hereinbefore  mentioned  at  their 
next  annual  meetings,  respectively  ;  and  if  either  of  said  Assemblies  shall, 
at  said  meeting,  by  resolution,  object  to  and  disapprove  of  such  election, 
the  same  shall  not  become  effective,  or  shall  cease  to  be  effective,  from 
and  after  the  time  when  said  Kentucky  Seminary  shall,  in  writing,  have 
been  notified  of  such  disapproval. 

Said  Board  of  Directors  shall  have  power  to  elect,  appoint  or  provide 
for  the  appointment  of  such  officers,  professors,  teachers,  and  employes 
generally  as  in  their  judgment  shall  make  the  work  of  the  seminary  more 
effective  ;  and  further,  the  election,  appointment,  or  transfer  of  any  teacher 
or  professor  in  said  seminary  shall  be  submitted  to  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  and  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  at 
their  next  meetings,  respectively  ;  and  if  either  of  said  bodies  shall  at 
said  meeting,  by  resolution,  object  to  and  disapprove  of  such  election, 
appointment,  or  transfer,  the  same  shall  not  become  effective,  or  shall 
cease  to  be  effective,  from  and  after  the  time  when  said  seminary  shall,  in 
writing,  have  been  notified  of  such  disapproval. 

This  proviso,  however,  shall  not  apply  to  or  permit  the  veto  of  the 
election,  appointment,  or  transfer,  at  the  opening  of  said  seminary,  of  any 
of  the  professors  or  teachers  now  employed  in  either  of  the  said  seminaries, 
that  is,  the  Danville  and  the  Louisville  Seminaries. 
67 


1058  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

The  Kentucky  Seminary  shall  be  vested  with  and  own  all  property, 
business,  credits,  assets,  and  effects  of  said  Danville  and  Louisville  Semi- 
naries, and  shall  be  bound  for  all  the  contracts  and  liabilities  of  each  of 
said  seminaries  which  are  to  be  consolidated  into  and  form  one  corporation 
under  the  name  and  title  of  The  Presbyterian  Theological  Semi- 
nary of  Kentucky. 

And  further,  in  the  event  of  the  violation  by  said  Kentucky  Seminary 
of  the  terms  of  said  articles  of  agreement,  or  of  the  misuse  or  diversion 
of  the  funds  or  property  held  by  said  Kentucky  Seminary,  then  either  of 
said  General  Assemblies  shall  have  power  to  proceed  against  such  viola- 
tion, misuse,  or  diversion,  and  may,  through  any  officer  or  Committee,  per- 
son or  corporation  appointed  by  it,  sue  in  any  civil  court  to  enforce  this 
agreement  and  to  protect  the  trusts  under  which  property  and  funds  are 
held  by  said  corporation  ;  and  said  corporation  shall  not  in  such  suit  ob- 
ject that  either  of  the  said  General  Assemblies  cannot  acquire  a  standing 
in  court  through  the  intervention  of  its  said  officer,  Committee,  or  ap- 
pointee. 

The  Kentucky  Seminary  shall  hold  the  property  and  funds  hereby 
vested  in  it,  and  all  property  and  funds  which  may  hereafter  be  acquired, 
in  trust  for  and  the  same  shall  be  devoted  to  the  education  aud  training  of 
young  men  as  ministers  of  the  Gospel  according  to  the  Confession  of  Faith, 
Catechisms,  and  other  Standards  of  the  Presbyterian  Churches  aforesaid, 
and  for  the  support  and  maintenance  of  young  men  while  in  attendance 
on  their  studies,  in  so  far  as  the  same  may  by  said  Seminary  be  deemed 
advisable  and  practicable ;  provided,  however,  that  such  training  and 
education  shall  at  all  times  be  in  accordance  with  those  Standards  which 
are  now  common  to  both  of  said  Churches,  and  with  such  modifications 
thereof,  if  any,  as  may  hereafter  be  made  and  adopted  by  both  of  said 
Churches ;  but  said  Seminary  shall  not  adopt,  authorize,  or  pursue  any 
course  of  education  or  training  which  is  not  in  accordance  with  those 
Standards  which  are  now  common  to  both  Churches,  and  modifications 
thereof  which  may  hereafter  be  made  by  both  and  shall  thereby  become 
common  to  both  of  said  Churches. 

It  further  appears  to  this  General  Assembly  that  by  the  Plan  of  the 
Danville  Theological  Seminary,  adopted  by  the  General  Assembly  of 
1853 — that  is,  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America — aud  amended  by  the  General  Assembly 
of  1873,  the  Danville  Seminary  was  located  at  Danville,  in  the  State  of 
Kentucky,  under  certain  covenants  and  agreements  contained  and  set 
forth  under  the  Plan  of  1853,  as  amended  in  the  Plan  of  1873. 

In  the  Plan  of  1853,  as  amended  by  the  Plan  of  1873,  it  was  provided 
as  follows : 

1.  "  No  fundamental  principle  of  the  Plan  shall  be  changed  unless  it 
is  proposed  at  one  annual  meeting  of  the  Assembly  and  carried  at  the 
next  annual  meeting  thereof,  or  unless  such  changes  be  proposed  to 
the  Assembly  by  the  Board  of  Directors  and  carried  by  a  vote  of  two- 
thirds  of  the  members  of  the  Assembly. 

2.  "  Those  principles  and  parts  of  the  Plan  which  are  founded  on  the 
covenants  and  agreements  between  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  or  the  Board 
of  Trustees  of  the  Center  College  of  Kentucky  and  the  General  As- 
sembly, shall  never  be  so  changed  as  to  affect  the  force  or  integrity  of 
either  of  those  covenants  without  the  previous  consent  of  the  opposite 
parties  thereto." 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1059 

It  appears  from  the  papers  filed  with  this  Minute  as  a  part  thereof  that 
the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Danville  Theological  Seminary  and  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  said  Seminary  have  both  taken  action  upon  and 
adopted  the  agreements  hereinbefore  mentioned  to  effect  the  consolidation 
hereinbefore  mentioned,  and  both  said  Trustees  and  Board  of  Directors 
have  overtured  and  requested  this  General  Assembly  to  take  such 
action  as  may  be  necessary  to  accomplish  the  full  purpose  of  said  agree- 
ment and  to  permit  the  Danville  Seminary,  in  Kentucky,  to  be  removed 
from  that  town  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  there  to  be  consolidated  with  the 
Louisville  Theological  Seminary  into  a  corporation  called  The  Presbyterian 
Theological  Seminary  of  Kentucky,  the  said  Kentucky  Seminary  to  be 
located  at  and  conducted  in  the  city  of  Louisville,  State  of  Kentucky. 

And  it  further  appearing  to  this  General  Assembly  from  the  papers 
filed  with  and  made  a  part  of  this  Minute,  that  all  of  the  parties  to  the 
Plan  of  1853  and  the  Plan  of  1873,  to  wit :  The  Synod  of  Kentucky, 
the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Center  College  of  Kentucky,  and  the  Board 
of  Trustees  and  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Danville  Theological 
Seminary  have  petitioned  and  requested  this  General  Assembly  to  permit 
all  parties  to  withdraw  from  said  covenants  of  1853  and  1873,  so  far  as 
may  be  necessary  to  enable  them  to  carry  out  the  purpose  of  the  said 
scheme  of  consolidation  ; 

And  whereas  it  appears  that  all  of  the  parties  interested  in  the  Dan- 
ville Theological  Seminary  and  who  are  parties  to  the  said  covenants  of 
1853  and  1873,  have  in  a  regular  and  orderly  manner  adopted  papers 
and  resolutions  and  have  requested  this  General  Assembly  to  take  all  the 
necessary  steps  to  effect  the  scheme  of  consolidation  hereinbefore  mentioned, 
and  it  appearing  to  this  General  Assembly  that  the  future  prosperity  and 
welfare  of  the  Danville  Theological  Seminary  and  the  cause  of  theological 
education  in  the  Southwest  would  be  promoted  by  the  aforesaid  con- 
solidation ; 

Therefore  we  recommend  that  the  following  action  be  taken  by  this 
General  Assembly  : 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  Trustees  of  the  Theological  Seminary  under  the 
care  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  at  Danville,  in  the  State  of  Kentucky,  and  the  Board 
of  Directors  of  said  seminary  be  and  the  same  are  hereby  directed, 
authorized,  and  empowered  (1)  to  remove  said  seminary  from  Danville  to 
Louisville,  Ky.;  (2)  to  take  such  legal  steps  as  may  be  necessary  to  accom- 
plish and  consummate  the  consolidation  of  the  Danville  Seminary  with 
the  Louisville  Seminary  into  one  corporation,  to  be  known  as  "The  Pres- 
byterian Theological  Seminary  of  Kentucky,"  to  be  located  and  con- 
ducted at  Louisville,  Ky.,  under  the  terms  and  conditions  set  forth  in  this 
Minute,  and  in  the  printed  agreement  between  the  said  Danville  and 
Louisville  Seminaries,  filed  with  this  Minute  as  a  part  thereof. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  executive  officers  of  said  Trustees  and  Directors 
shall  have,  and  we  hereby  give  them  full  authority,  to  sign  and  execute 
such  deeds,  contracts,  and  articles  of  incorporation  as  may  be  necessary  to 
consummate  said  consolidation. 

Resolved,  3.  That  the  agreement  filed  with  this  Minute,  under  which 
the  Danville  and  Louisville  Seminaries  are  to  be  consolidated,  and  which 
is  to  form  the  Articles  of  Incorporation  of  The  Presbyterian  Seminary  of 
Kentucky,  shall  not  be  altered  except  with  the  concurrence  of  the  Board 
of    Directors   and   of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  in  connection  with   The 


1060  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  the  Synods  of 
Kentucky  and  Missouri,  in  connection  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States,  respectively.  Any  alteratiou  so  made  and  agreed 
upon  shall  be  submitted  to  each  of  said  General  Assemblies  above  men- 
tioned at  their  next  regular  annual  meeting,  and,  unless  disapproved  at 
such  meeting  by  one  of  said  Assemblies,  the  same  shall  become  operative. 
Resolved,  4.  That  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Presbyterian  Theo- 
logical Seminary  of  Kentucky  shall  annually  make  full  and  complete  re- 
port to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States,  and  also  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America. — 1901,  pp.  136-139. 

2.  Agreement  for  Consolidation  of  the  Presbyterian  Theological  Semi- 
naries at  Danville  and  Louisville,  creating  the  Presbyterian  Theo- 
logical Seminary  of  Kentucky. 

This  Agreement,  made  and  entered  into  this  the  day  of  , 

1901,  by  and  between  the  Trustees  of  the  Theological  Seminary  under  the 
care  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  at  Danville,  in  the  State  of  Kentucky  (hereinafter 
designated  as  the  Danville  Seminary),  party  of  the  first  part,  and  the 
Louisville  Presbyterian  Theological  Seminary  (hereinafter  designated 
as  the  Louisville  Seminary),  party  of  the  second  part,  and  the  Trustees  of 
the  Theological  Fund  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  (hereinafter  designated 
as  Synodical  Trustees ),  party  of  the  third  part : 

Witnesseth :  Each  of  the  parties  hereto  is  a  corporation  created,  organ- 
ized, and  existing  under  and  by  virtue  of  the  laws  of  the  State  of  Ken- 
tucky, as  follows,  viz.  : 

The  Danville  Seminary,  under  and  by  virtue  of  an  act  of  the  Legisla- 
ture of  Kentucky,  entitled  "An  Act  to  incorporate  the  Trustees  of  the 
Theological  Seminary  under  the  care  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  at  Danville,  in  the 
State  of  Kentucky,"  approved  January  28,  1854,  and  an  act  supplemental 
thereto,  approved  February  25,  1854  ; 

The  Louisville  Seminary,  under  and  by  virtue  of  Articles  of  Associa- 
tion dated  May  3,  1893,  entered  into  by  and  between  Wm.  T.  Grant  and 
others,  creating  thereby  a  corporation  under  the  name  of  the  "  Louisville 
Presbyterian  Theological  Seminary,"  which  Articles  of  Association  were 
executed  and  delivered  pursuant  to  the  general  incorporation  laws  of  the 
State  of  Kentucky  and  recorded  in  the  County  Clerk's  Office  of  Jeffer- 
son County,  Kentucky,  in  Corporation  Book  No.  8,  page  350  ; 

The  Synodical  Trustees,  under  and  by  virtue  of  an  act  of  the  Legisla- 
ture of  Kentucky,  entitled  "An  Act  to  incorporate  the  Trustees  of  the 
Theological  Fund  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,"  approved  March  1,  1850. 

The  Danville  Seminary  was  organized  and  has  always  continued  in  con- 
nection with  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  and  has  received  the  income  from  the  Synodical 
Fund  ;  the  Louisville  Seminary  was  organized  in  connection  with  and  is 
under  the  control  of  the  Synods  of  Kentucky  and  Missouri  in  connection 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United"  States. 

Each  of  said  institutions  was  organized  and  has  been  conducted  for  the 
same  general  purpose,  namely,  the  education  and  training  of  young  men 
as  ministers  of  the  Gospel — the  Danville  Seminary,  according  to  the  Con- 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  10G1 

fession  of  Faith,  Catechisms,  and  other  standards  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America ;  and  the  Louisville  Seminary, 
according  to  the  Confession  of  Faith,  Catechisms,  and  other  Standards  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  ;  and  the  Confession  of 
Faith  and  Catechisms  of  said  Churches  are  the  same,  and  their  other 
Standards  are  nearly  the  same. 

Each  of  said  parties  owns  funds  and  property,  real,  personal,  and 
mixed,  part  of  said  property  and  funds  being  held  for  the  general  pur- 
poses of  said  institutions,  respectively,  and  other  parts  thereof  being  held 
for  specific  or  defined  purposes. 

It  is  believed  that  the  best  interests  of  both  institutions  and  of  the 
Churches  which  control  and  sustain  them  will  be  conserved  and  promoted 
by  the  consolidation  of  such  institutions  under  the  terms  and  conditions 
herein  set  forth. 

Noic,  in  consideration  of  the  premises,  and  of  the  mutual  undertakings 
of  the  parties  hereto,  it  is  agreed  between  them  as  follows,  to  wit : 

I.  Said  Danville  Seminary,  said  Synodical  Trustees,  and  said  Louisville 
Seminary,  the  corporations  hereinbefore  designated  and  made  parties 
thereto,  shall  be  and  are  hereby  consolidated  into  a  single  corporation 
under  the  corporate  name  and  style  of  the  Presbyterian  Theological 
Seminary  of  Kentucky,  which,  for  convenience,  is  hereinafter  designated 
as  the  Kentucky  Seminary. 

II.  The  Kentucky  Seminary  shall  be  vested  with  and  own  all  property, 
business,  credits,  assets,  and  effects  of  said  constituent  corporations  without 
deed  or  transfer,  and  shall  be  bound  for  all  the  contracts  and  liabilities  of 
each  of  the  constituent  corporations. 

III.  The  Danville  Seminary  and  the  Louisville  Seminary  shall  be  con- 
ducted by  the  Kentucky  Seminary  at  or  near  Louisville  as  one  Theological 
Seminary  under  this  agreement,  and  the  Danville  Seminary  shall  no  longer 
be  conducted  at  Danville. 

IV.  The  Kentucky  Seminary  shall  hold  the  property  and  funds  hereby 
vested  in  it  and  all  property  and  funds  which  may  hereafter  be  acquired, 
in  trust  for,  and  the  same  shall  be  devoted  to,  the  education  and  training 
of  young  men  as  ministers  of  the  Gospel  according  to  the  Confession  of 
Faith,  Catechisms,  and  other  Standards  of  the  Presbyterian  Churches  afore- 
said, and  for  the  support  and  maintenance  of  young  men  while  in  attend- 
ance on  their  studies,  in  so  far  as  the  same  may  by  said  Seminary  be 
deemed  advisable  and  practicable  ;  provided,  however,  that  such  training 
and  education  shall  at  all  times  be  in  accordance  with  those  Standards 
which  are  now  common  to  both  of  said  Churches,  and  with  such  modifica- 
tions thereof,  if  any,  as  may  hereafter  be  made  and  adopted  by  both  of  said 
Churches  ;  but  said  Seminary  shall  not  adopt,  authorize,  or  pursue  any 
course  of  education  or  training  which  is  not  in  accordance  with  those 
Standards  which  are  now  common  to  both  Churches,  and  modifications 
thereof  which  may  hereafter  be  made  by  both,  and  shall  thereby  become 
common  to  both  of  said  Churches. 

V.  All  property  and  funds  which  have  been  donated  or  contributed  to 
either  of  said  constituent  corporations  for  the  support  or  maintenance  of 
special  Chairs,  or  for  any  specific  purpose,  shall  be  held  by  said  Kentucky 
Seminary  and  dedicated  to  and  used  for  such  specific  purpose  or  purposes, 
in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the  gift  or  contract  under  which  the  same 
shall  have  been  received.  •«- 

VI.  The  management  and  control  of  said  Kentucky  Seminary  shall  be 


1062  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

vested  iu  a  Board  known  as  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Presbyterian 
Theological  Seminary  of  Kentucky.  Said  Board  shall  consist  of  twenty- 
four  members,  unless  and  until  the  number  of  said  Board  shall  be  changed 
(which  may  be  done)  by  agreement  between  the  Synod  of  Kentucky, 
which  is  iu  connection  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
of  America,  on  the  oue  side,  and  the  Synods  of  Kentucky  and  Missouri, 
which  are  iu  connection  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States,  on  the  other  side. 

For  purposes  of  convenience,  said  first-named  Synod  will  be  hereinafter 
designated  as  the  "Synod  of  Kentucky,"  and  the  other  two  Synods  will 
be  designated  as  the  "  Synods  of  Kentucky  and  Missouri." 

One-half  of  the  members  of  said  Board  shall  be  elected  by  the  Synod 
of  Kentucky  and  one-half  shall  be  elected  by  the  Synods  of  Kentucky 
and  Missouri.  Said  bodies  respectively  shall  regulate  the  time  and  mode 
of  election  as  to  the  members  of  the  Board  to  be  elected  by  them  ;  and 
it  shall  be  competent  for  the  Synods  of  Kentucky  and  Missouri,  by  agree- 
ment between  themselves,  to  regulate  the  number  to  be  elected  by  each. 

The  members  of  the  first  Board  of  Trustees  to  be  constituted  by  elec- 
tion by  said  Synods  shall  hold  office  for  the  following  terms,  to  wit :  One- 
fourth  of  said  members  shall  hold  office  for  one  year  ;  one-fourth  for  two 
years  ;  one-fourth  for  three  years,  and  one-fourth  for  four  years ;  and 
thereafter  the  term  of  office  of  the  members  shall  be  four  years. 

Each  member  of  the  Board  shall  hold  office  until  his  successor  shall 
have  been  duly  elected  aud  qualified.  If  any  member  shall  fail  to  qualify 
at  or  before  the  next  regular  annual  meeting  of  the  Board  after  his  elec- 
tion, or  shall  resign  or  otherwise  cease  to  be  a  Director,  the  other  members 
of  the  Board,  appointed  by  the  Synod  which  elected  the  member  whose 
office  shall  have  become  vacant,  shall  fill  such  vacancy,  and  the  appointee 
shall  serve  out  the  term  of  office  of  his  predecessor,  unless  the  Synod 
which  originally  elected  such  member  shall,  by  election  at  its  next  meet- 
ing thereafter,  substitute  another  person,  in  which  event  that  person  shall 
serve  out  such  unexpired  term  in  lieu  of  the  appointee  aforesaid. 

Elections  of  members  of  the  Board  shall  be  so  made  that  said  Synod 
of  Kentucky,  on  the  one  side,  and  said  Synods  of  Kentucky  and  Missouri, 
on  the  other  side,  respectively,  shall  at  all  times  have  an  equal  number 
of  representatives  in  the  Board. 

The  election  of  Directors  by  the  said  Synods  respectively  shall  be  sub- 
mitted to  each  of  the  General  Assemblies  hereinabove  mentioned  at  their 
next  annual  meetings,  respectively  ;  and  if  either  of  said  Assemblies  shall 
at  said  meeting,  by  resolution,  object  to  and  disapprove  of  such  election, 
the  same  shall  not  become  effective  or  shall  cease  to  be  effective  from  and 
after  the  time  when  said  Kentucky  Seminarv  shall,  in  writing,  have  been 
notified  of  such  disapproval. 

VII.  The  Board  of  Directors  shall  have  power  to  elect,  appoint,  or  pro- 
vide for  the  appointment  of  such  officers,  professors,  teachers,  and  em- 
ployes generally  as  in  their  judgment  shall  make  the  work  of  the  Semi- 
nary most  effective. 

It  may  adopt  and  prescribe  a  constitution  and  by-laws  for  the  govern- 
ment and  control  of  the  institution  in  all  its  parts  and  with  respect  to  its 
entire  conduct,  and  may  from  time  to  time  alter  the  same  ;  provided,  how- 
ever, that  it  shall  have  no  power  to  adopt  any  rule  or  regulation  in  conflict 
with  this  agreement,  or  with  any  joint  resolution  of  or  agreement  between 
said  Synod  of  Kentucky  and  said  Synods  of  Kentucky  and  Missouri. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1063 

The  election,  appointment,  or  transfer  of  any  teacher  or  professor  in 
said  Seminary  shall  be  submitted  to  the  said  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  and  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  at  their  next 
meetings,  respectively  ;  and  if  either  of  said  bodies  shall  at  said  meeting, 
by  resolution,  object  to  and  disapprove  of  such  election,  appointment,  or 
transfer,  the  same  shall  not  become  effective  or  shall  cease  to  be  effective 
from  and  after  the  time  when  the  said  Seminary  shall,  in  writing,  have 
been  notified  of  such  disapproval.  This  proviso,  however,  shall  not  apply 
to  or  permit  the  veto  of  the  election,  appointment,  or  transfer  at  the  open- 
ing of  said  Seminary  of  any  of  the  professors  or  teachers  now  employed 
in  either  of  the  Seminaries,  constituent  parties  hereto. 

In  the  event  of  the  violation  by  said  Kentucky  Seminary  of  the  terms 
of  these  articles  of  agreement,  or  of  the  misuse  or  diversion  of  the  funds 
or  property  held  by  said  Seminary,  then  either  of  said  General  Assemblies 
shall  have  power  to  proceed  against  such  violation,  misuse,  or  diversion, 
and  may,  through  any  officer  or  committee,  person  or  corporation  ap- 
pointed by  it,  sue  in  any  civil  court  to  enforce  this  agreement  and  to  pro- 
tect the  trusts  under  which  property  and  funds  are  held  by  the  said  cor- 
poration ;  and  said  corporation  shall  not,  in  such  suit,  object  that  said 
General  Assembly  cannot  acquire  a  standing  in  Court  through  the  inter- 
vention of  its  said  officer,  committee,  or  appointee. 

VIII.  A  majority  of  the  Board  shall  constitute  a  quorum.  The  Board 
may  appoint  an  executive  committee  and  vest  in  said  committee  such 
powers  of  the  Board  as  it  may  deem  fit. 

IX.  This  agreement  shall  not  be  altered  except  with  the  concurrence 
of  the  Board  of  Directors,  and  of  said  Synod  of  Kentucky  and  said 
Synods  of  Kentucky  and  Missouri,  respectively.  Any  alteration  so  made 
and  agreed  upon  shall  be  submitted  to  each  of  said  General  Assemblies 
above  mentioned  at  their  next  regular  annual  meetings,  and,  unless  dis- 
approved at  such  meeting  by  one  of  said  Assemblies,  the  same  shall  be- 
come operative. 

X.  The  first  Board  of  Directors  of  said  Kentucky  Seminary  shall  be 
selected,  one-half  by  the  present  Directors  of  Danville  Seminary,  and 
one-half  by  the  present  Directors  of  Louisville  Seminary — in  each  case, 
preferably,  from  their  own  members — to  hold  office  until  the  Board  shall 
be  regularly  constituted  by  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  and  the  Synods  of 
Kentucky  and  Missouri. 

XL  Each  Director  of  the  Board  hereby  constituted  before  entering 
upon  the  duties  of  his  office  shall  qualify  by  taking  an  oath  faithfully  to 
perform  the  duties  thereof. 

XII.  This  corporation  shall  be  perpetual. 

It  may  acquire  by  gift,  purchase,  or  otherwise,  and  hold  and  use  for 
general  and  special  purposes  real  and  personal  estate  ;  and  sell,  convey, 
lease,  pledge,  or  mortgage  its  real  or  personal  estate,  and  generally  it  may 
exercise  all  corporate  powers  conferred  by  general  law  upon  incorporated 
bodies. 

XIII.  This  agreement  shall  become  effective  when  and  not  until  it 
shall  have  received  the  assent  of  the  three  constituent  corporations  herein 
named — the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  in  connection  therewith,  the 
Synods  of  Kentucky  and  Missouri  in   connection   with   the   Presbyterian 


1064  SUPPLEMENT   TO    DIGEST. 

Church  in  the  United  States,  and  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States. — 1901,  pp.  225-228. 

[Note.— See  for  the  actions  of  the  Boards  of  Directors  and  Trustees  of  the  Dan- 
ville Theological  Seminary,  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  and  the  Trustees  of  Centre  Col- 
lege, Ky.,  Minutes,  1901,  pp.  222-224,  and  228.] 

3.  Action  of  the  Assembly  of  1902. 

The  Presbyterian  Theological  Seminary  of  Kentucky  makes  its  first 
Annual  Report  to  this  Assembly,  making  at  the  same  time  the  same  Re- 
port to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Southern  Church,  now  in  session  at 
Jackson,  Miss.  This  institution  is  a  consolidation  of  the  two  seminaries 
located  at  Louisville  and  Danville,  and  it  is  hoped  that  a  higher  degree 
of  efficiency  may  be  possible  by  this  combination  of  the  two. 

The  Assembly  is  requested  to  confirm  and  approve  this  consolidation 
(in  accordance  with  the  action  taken  last  year),  together  with  the  trans- 
fers of  directors  and  professors  involved  in  the  change.  Unanimously 
adopted. — pp.  135,  136. 

4.  Approval  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Seminary. 

5.  That  the  Constitution  of  the  Theological  Seminary  of  Kentucky  (a 
copy  of  which  is  herewith  filed),  safeguarding,  as  it  does,  the  funds  of  the 
institution,  and  providing  sound  and  efficient  theological  training  for  its 
students,  be  approved  by  this  Assembly. — 1903,  p.  156. 

iv.  McCormick  Theological  Seminary. 
1.  Amendments  to  the  Constitution  Approved. 

That  the  amendments  of  the  Constitution  of  the  McCormick  Theological 
Seminary  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  proposed  by  the  Board  of  Direc- 
tors of  that  institution,  be  and  the  same  are  hereby  approved. — 1902,  p.  141. 

[The  amendments  read  :] 

Section  4.  The  Board  of  Directors  shall  have  power  to  elect  and  duly 
induct  and  inaugurate  into  office  the  Professors  of  the  Seminary ;  to  re- 
ceive their  resignations  ;  also  to  remove  them  from  office  ;  such  elections 
and  removals  to  be  subject  to  the  veto  of  the  General  Assembly.  The 
Board  shall  also  have  power  to  suspend  temporarily  a  Professor,  prelim- 
inary to  and  pending  an  investigation  of  charges  against  his  conduct  or 
doctrine. 

The  Board  shall  have  power  to  elect  a  President  of  the  Seminary,  who 
shall  be  a  member  of  the  Faculty,  and  subject  to  all  the  Rules  and  Regu- 
lations which  apply  to  other  members  of  the  Faculty. — 1902,  p.  224. 

v.   Omaha  Theological  Seminary. 

1.  Changes  in  the  Constitution  Approved. 

That  the  changes  in  the  Constitution  of  the  Omaha  Seminary,  which 
have  been  specified  in  the  Report  of  that  Seminary,  be  approved. — 1901, 
p.  135. 

[The  changes  in  the  Constitution  are  as  follows :] 

The  Board  has  made  the  following  changes  in  the  Constitution,  for 
which  it  now  asks  the  approval  of  the  General  Assembly : 

1.   Omit  from  the  Constitution  Section  7   in  Article  II.   because  it  re- 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XII,    SECT.    V.  1065 

peats  and  is  in  part  inconsistent  with  Article  V.  of  the  articles  of  incor- 
poration. 

2.  Omit  from  Section  8,  Article  II,  the  words  beginning  "  He  may 
convene,  etc.,"  as  more  properly  matter  for  a  by-law. 

3.  Omit  in  Article  III,  Section  3,  third  part,  the  paragraph  marked 
(6),  which  makes  it  the  duty  of  the  Faculty  to  provide  an  employment 
bureau  for  students. 

4.  Omit  from  Section  3,  Article  IV,  the  words  "and  shall  have  con- 
ferred upon  them  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Divinity  (B.D.)." 

5.  Insert  in  the  Constitution  the  following  as  paragraph  1,  Section  12, 
Article  II.: 

1.  To  appoint  a  President  of  the  Seminary,  who  shall  be  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Directors  and  of  the  Executive  Committee  and  of  the 
Faculty,  and  who  shall  be  the  special  executive  officer  of  the  Seminary  ; 
in  case  of  his  absence  or  inability  to  act  his  duties  shall  be  performed 
under  the  direction  of  the  Executive  Committee. 

6.  Omit  Article  VII.  and  substitute  the  following  :  Article  VII.  (a) 
The  President  of  the  Seminary  shall  be  the  representative  of  the  Board 
of  Directors  in  the  custody  of  the  grounds  and  buildings  of  the  Seminary. 

7.  Each  member  of  the  Faculty  is  under  obligation  to  care  for  the 
property  of  the  Seminary  and  for  order  among  the  students,  and  should 
cooperate  with  the  President  and  the  Board  in  any  matter  pertaining  to 
the  interests  of  the  Seminary. 

(c)  The  Faculty  is  the  representative  of  the  Board  in  relation  to  the 
students  and  the  library,  both  of  which  shall  be  subject  to  such  regula- 
tions as  the  Faculty  may  prescribe. 

8.  In  Section  5,  Article  VIII,  in  place  of  the  words  "  National  Bank," 
substitute  the  words  "Bank  or  Trust  Company." — 1901,  p.  250. 

vi.  Lebanon  Theological  Seminary. 
[See  Action  as  to  Cumberland  University,  this  Supplement,  p.  940.] 

III.  AFFILIATED  ORGANIZATIONS. 

AMERICAN    BIBLE    SOCIETY. 

1.  Presbyterial  Committees  to  be  appointed. 

Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  reaffirms  its  conviction,  expressed  last 
year,  of  the  importance  of  the  work  of  the  American  Bible  Society  to  the 
mission  work  of  the  Church,  and  it  recommends,  in  order  that  there  may 
be  more  efficient  cooperation  with  the  Society,  that  each  Presbytery  ap- 
point a  Standing  Committee  on  the  work  of  the  American  Bible  Society. 
—1900,  p.  34. 

AMERICAN    TRACT   SOCIETY. 

1.  Presbyterial  Committees  to  be  appointed. 

The  Assembly  hereby  commends  the  Society  to  the  confidence  and  sup- 
port of  our  churches,  and  recommends  that  each  Presbytery  appoint  a 
Standing  Committee  on  the  work  of  the  American  Tract  Society. — 1901, 
p.  131. 


1066  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

SECTION     VII. 

1.  Deliverance  against  Biennial  or  Triennial  Assemblies. 

Overtures  22-26,  85,  86,  and  90,  asking  for  either  biennial  or  triennial 
sessions  of  the  General  Assembly.  It  is  recommended  that  these  Overtures 
be  answered  in  the  negative,  and  for  the  following  reasons : 

1.  Our  system  of  Church  government  is  that  Scriptural  system  which  is 
ordinarily  spoken  of  as  "  representative  republicanism."  One  of  its 
radical  principles  is,  "  that  a  larger  part  of  the  Church,  or  a  representa- 
tion of  it,  should  govern  a  smaller  ;  that,  in  like  manner,  a  representation 
of  the  whole  should  govern  and  determine  in  regard  to  every  part,  and  to 
all  the  parts  united  ;  that  is,  that  a  majority  shall  govern  "  (Note,  Chap,  xii, 
Form  of  Gov.).  The  regular  and  efficient  expression  of  the  will  of  the 
majority  in  connection  with  the  affairs  of  the  Church  can  be  secured,  under 
our  system,  only  by  an  annual  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly.  Were 
this  Church  monarchical  in  its  form  of  government  and  not  republican, 
Episcopal  and  not  Presbyterian,  less  frequent  meetings  of  the  Assembly 
might  be  appropriate. 

2.  Our  system  of  administration  in  connection  with  the  great  causes  of 
missions  and  benevolence  has  been  organized  upon  the  basis  of  the  annual 
meetings  of  the  Assembly.  To  change  our  system  in  this  respect  would 
require  a  radical  change  in  the  plans  of  management  of  the  several 
Boards. 

3.  One  of  the  chief  functions  of  the  Assembly  is,  that  it  "  constitutes 
the  bond  of  union,  peace,  correspondence,  and  mutual  confidence  among 
all  our  churches"  (Form  of  Gov.,  Chap,  xii,  Sec.  4).  The  influence  of 
the  Assembly  in  these  directions  has  been  of  inestimable  value  to  the 
Church.  It  has  brought  into  close  relations  of  sympathy  and  true  frater- 
nity by  the  annual  meetings  the  representative  men  of  the  Church  from 
every  portion  of  our  country  and  from  foreign  mission  fields,  and  it  has 
been  as  a  result  a  stimulus  and  an  inspiration  to  efficient  work  in  the  ex- 
tension in  this  land  and  throughout  the  earth  of  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

4.  Our  system  of  government  is  intended,  among  other  things,  to  con- 
serve the  rights  and  privileges  of  every  minister  and  member  of  the 
Church.  A  radical  principle  of  our  discipline  is  "  that  appeals  may  be 
carried  from  lower  to  higher  judicatories,  till  they  be  finally  decided  by 
the  collected  wisdom  and  united  voice  of  the  whole  Church  "  (Note,  Chap, 
xii,  Form  of  Gov. ).  In  no  other  manner  than  by  an  annual  meeting  of 
the  Assembly  can  this  principle  be  so  put  into  practice  as  to  properly 
guard  and  secure  the  constitutional  rights  of  the  individual.  To  require 
a  complainant  or  appellant  to  await  a  final  decision  in  his  case  until  the 
meeting  of  a  triennial  Assembly  would  be  to  work  gross  injustice.  And 
the  proposed  change,  further,  would  of  necessity  involve  such  a  readjust- 
ment of  our  judicial  system  as  would  deny  to  an  appellant  the  right  to  be 
heard  by  the  whole  Church.  Such  a  denial  of  right,  when  conjoined  with 
a  proposed  grievous  delay  in  reaching  a  decision,  would  be  contrary  to 
both  justice  and  equity. 

5.  The  New  School  Church  in  1.S40  decided  to  hold  triennial  meetings 
of  the  General  Assembly.  Such  meetings  were  held  in  1843  and  1846. 
By  the  latter  year,  however,  the  Church  had  become  restive  under  the 
restrictions  and  limitations  caused  by  infrequent  meetings  of  the  supreme 
judicatory,  and  in  1849,  by  a  decided  vote,  the  Annual  General  Assembly 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XIII,    SECT.    II.  1067 

was  reestablished.  The  experience  and  action  of  the  New  School  Church 
in  this  matter  of  proposed  triennial  sessions  is  a  practical  and  powerful 
negative  to  the  Overtures  to  which  this  deliverance  is  an  answer. — 1898, 
p.  131. 

SECTION  VIII. 
1.  One  Assembly  cannot  control  another  as  to  place  of  meeting. 

The  Committee  also  report  upon  the  Overture  referred  to  it  by  the 
Assembly,  being  an  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Puget  Sound,  asking 
that  steps  be  taken  for  a  meeting  of  the  Assembly  in  1901  at  San  Fran- 
cisco, Cal.  It  is  not  within  the  power  of  one  General  Assembly  to  control 
another  in  the  matter  of  the  appointment  of  the  place  of  meeting.  This 
appointment  is  entirely  within  the  control  of  the  sitting  Assembly,  and 
the  Committee  therefore  recommends  that  the  Overture  be  referred  to 
the  next  General  Assembly. — 1899,  p.  90. 

2.  Emergency  Committee  to  provide  new  place  of  meeting  appointed. 

The  Committee  further  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following 
Standing  Order  or  Rule,  to  provide  for  possible  emergencies  in  connection 
with  the  places  of  meeting  of  the  Assembly.  Such  provision  has  been 
made  several  times  in  the  past,  and  it  is  believed  that  it  is  wise  to  give 
the  matter  permanent  form. 

Standing  Order  No.  2Jf. — Resolved,  That  the  Moderator,  with  the 
Stated  and  Permanent  Clerks,  should  an  emergency  requiring  action  at 
any  time  arise,  are  authorized  to  provide  a  new  place  of  meeting  for  the 
General  Assembly.— 1899,  p.  90. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 


OF  ELECTING  AND  ORDAINING  RULING  ELDERS  AND 

DEACONS. 

SECTION  II. 
1.  A  Congregation  has  the  right  to  elect  elders  as  to  it  may  seem  best. 

[Judicial  Case  No.  1.  Known  as  the  Case  of  the  Church  of  the 
Covenant,  Williamsport,  Pa.] 

The  Commission  finds  that  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  of  Northum- 
berland, taken  at  its  meeting  held  June  10,  1901,  upon  the  report  of  a 
Committee  appointed  to  consider  the  condition  of  the  affairs  of  the  Church 
of  the  Covenant,  of  Williamsport,  was  a  faithful  endeavor  on  its  part  to 
carry  out  the  spirit  of  the  decision  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1900  in 
certain  appeals  which  came  before  said  Assembly  involving  the  same 
parties  and  practically  the  same  questions  ;  but  that  in  its  action^  said 
Presbytery  transgressed  its  constitutional  limitations  in  assuming  to  dictate 
to  the' congregation  of  the  said  Church  of  the  Covenant  the  manner  in 
which  a  new  Board  of  Elders  should  be  elected,  and  who  should  be  elected 
to  the  office  of  ruling  elder  jn  said  church.  All  proceedings  under 
said  action  of  Presbytery  have  been  stayed,  pending  this  appeal. 


1068  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

5.  This  Commission  finds  further,  that  the  plan  adopted  by  the  Presby- 
tery of  Northumberland,  except  as  herein  modified,  will  settle  the  questions 
vexing  the  church  finally  and  equitably.  The  General  Assembly,  there- 
fore, without  sustaining  either  said  appeal  or  said  complaint  otherwise, 
does 

First,  Direct  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  to  instruct  the  Presbytery  of 
Northumberland  to  modify  its  action  taken  at  the  meeting  held  June  10, 
1901,  relating  to  the  calling  of  a  congregational  meeting  for  the  election 
of  new  elders  for  the  Church  of  the  Covenant  at  Williamsport,  Pa.,  by 
striking  out  of  said  action  all  that  part  thereof  relating  to  the  manner  of 
the  election  and  the  parties  to  be  elected,  leaving  to  the  congregation  its 
constitutional  right  to  elect  such  parties  as  to  it  may  seem  best. 

Second,  Vacate  the  stay  of  the  proceedings  under  the  said  action  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Northumberland  taken  at  said  meeting  on  the  10th  day  of 
June,  1901,  and  direct  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  to  instruct  the  Presby- 
tery of  Northumberland  to  call  a  congregational  meeting  of  said  Church 
of  the  Covenant  of  Williamsport,  Pa.,  to  elect  new  elders  for  said  church 
in  accordance  with  the  resolution  of  said  Presbytery  adopted  June  10, 
1901,  as  above  modified,  which  new  elders,  when  elected,  shall  be  the 
Session  of  said  Church  of  the  Covenant  and  shall  supersede  all  those  now 
claiming  to  be  elders  in  said  church  ;  and  further,  to  instruct  said  Presby- 
tery to  carry  into  effect  the  action  taken  by  said  Presbytery  on  June  10, 
1901,  except  as -now  modified. — 1902,  p.  152. 

SECTION  IV. 

1.  Ordination  of  a  Ruling  Elder  not  invalidated  by  failure  to  read  the 

Confession. 

Overture  No.  67,  from  the  Presbytery  of  New  Albany,  as  to  Ruling 
Elders  and  the  Confession  of  Faith. 

"  Does  the  failure  of  a  candidate  for  ordination  to  the  office  of  ruling 
elder  to  read  the  Confession  of  Faith  invalidate  his  ordination,  although 
the  candidate  may  answer  the  second  question,  '  Do  you  sincerely  receive 
and  adopt  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  this  Church  as  containing  the  system 
of  doctrine  taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures'  in  the  affirmative?" 

It  is  recommended  that  the  following  answer  be  made :  The  minister 
ought  to  see  to  it  that  the  candidate  for  ordination  as  elder  has  sufficient 
knowledge  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  to  answer  the  question  referred  to 
intelligently  before  he  is  ordained  ;  yet  if  a  man  has  been  ordained  as  an 
elder  who  has  not  such  sufficient  knowledge,  this  fact  does  not  in- 
validate his  ordination.  However,  such  elder  should  be  required  to  read 
and  study  the  Confession. — 1905,  p.  206. 

SECTION  VI. 

1.  To  whom  an  elder  or  deacon  should  resign. 

Overture  No.  39,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Arizona,  inquiring  to  whom 
elders  and  deacons  should  present  their  resignations.  Your  Committee 
repoi't,  in  accordance  with  the  decision  already  given  on  this  subject  (see 
Digest,  p.  538),  that  elders  and  deacons  should  present  their  resignations 
to  the  Session.— 1901,  p.  63. 


FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT,  CHAP.  XIV.  1069 

CHAPTER   XIV. 

OF  LICENSING    CANDIDATES   OR    PROBATIONERS   TO 
PREACH  THE   GOSPEL. 

SECTION  III. 

1.  Constitutional  Rule  No.  3. 

[Adopted  by  the  Presbyteries  under  Section  6,  Chap.  XII,  Form  of 
Gov.] 

"  Section  1.  Every  applicant  seeking  to  be  taken  under  the  care  of 
Presbytery  as  a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  shall  tile  his  application  with 
the  Stated  Clerk  at  least  three  months  before  the  meeting  of  the  Presby- 
tery, during  which  time  a  careful  investigation  shall  be  made  as  to  his 
Christian  character,  physical  and  mental  qualifications,  and  his  previous 
education  ;  and  no  person  shall  be  received  by  Presbytery  as  a  candidate 
for  the  ministry  who  has  not  been  recommended  by  the  Session  of  the 
church  of  which  he  is  a  member,  under  whose  care  he  shall  have  been 
for  a  period  of  at  least  six  mouths. 

"Section  2.  Presbytery  shall  examine  annually,  in  person  or  by  letter, 
all  candidates  under  its  care,  concerning  their  Christian  experience,  their 
progress  in  study,  and  their  fidelity  to  the  doctrines  of  the  Church.  It 
shall  also  advise  with  them  concerning  their  course  of  study,  and  the  in- 
stitutions in  which  they  are  to  pursue  their  studies." — 1901,  p.  157. 

2.  Form  of  application  for  candidates. 

Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  hereby  directs  the  use  of  the  following 
form  of  application  by  the  Presbyteries  in  the  reception  of  candidates  : 

Application  to  the  Presbytery  of  to  be 

taken  under  its  care  as  a  candidate  for  the  Gospel  Ministry. 
Name, 

Address, 

I  wish  to  enter  the  Gospel  Ministry  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

My  age  is  ,  my  parents  were  members  of 

I  became  a  communicant  in  Church,  A.  D.  ,  have 

been    a  member  of  Church  since  .     I  agree,  if 

received  as  a  candidate,  to  submit  to  the  Rules  and  Regulations  of 
Presbytery  applying  to  candidates  for  the  Gospel  Ministry. 

For  the  information  of  Presbytery  I  answer  the  following  questions : 

How  long  have  you  attended  high  school  or  academy  ? 

Did  you  graduate  ? 

What  other  schools  have  you  attended  ? 

How  long  have  you  attended  college,  and  where  ? 

What  post-graduate  or  seminary  work  have  you  done,  and  where? 

What  degrees  have  you  obtained,  and  from  what  institutions  ? 

What  practical  Christian  work  have  you  been  engaged  in  ? 

Give  your  reasons  for  desiring  to  enter  the  Gospel  Ministry  ? 

Have  you  reached  the  conviction  that  you  ought  to  be  a  minister  as  the 
result  of  prayer  and  inquiry  from  the  Lord  ? 

What  experience  have  you  had  in  other  work,  such  as  teaching  or  any 
business  calling  ? 


1070  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

I  also  give  the  following  references : 

fL 

As  to  Character     .   1  2. 

(.3. 

As  to  Scholarship .   1  2. 

u 

As  to  Ability    .    .   i  2. 

This  application  is  to  be  accompanied  by  the  recommendation  of  the 
Session  of  the  church  of  which  the  applicant  is  a  member. — 1900,  p.  69. 

3.  Presbyteries  to  exercise  vigilance  as  to  candidates. 

That  the  Assembly  commends  the  steps  taken  by  some  of  the  Presby- 
teries, for  maintaining  a  more  vital  relation  with  candidates  under  their 
care,  and  a  closer  supervision  of  their  studies,  and  that  this  Assembly 
directs  the  Presbyteries  to  exercise  the  utmost  vigilance  in  all  such  matters. 
—1904,  p.  62. 

4.  College  graduation  to  be  insisted  upon. 

That  the  seminaries  and  Presbyteries,  according  to  action  of  the  As- 
sembly of  1891,  should  insist  more  strenuously  on  college  graduation  by 
candidates  before  they  be  permitted  to  enter  on  their  theological  studies, 
and  that  the  number  of  exceptions  to  this  rule  should  be  largely  reduced. 
—1900,  p.  144. 

5.  Duties  of  Committees  on  Education  stated. 

That  Presbyteries  are  recommended  to  strengthen  their  Committees  of 
Education  by  putting  on  them  the  wisest  men  in  the  Presbytery  ;  to  en- 
trust to  them  the  examination  of  candidates  with  respect  to  personal  re- 
ligion and  motives  for  seeking  the  ministry  ;  to  hold  special  meetings  for 
the  examination  of  candidates  for  licensure  or  ordination  where  full  time 
cannot  otherwise  be  allowed  for  the  all-important  work ;  to  combine 
written  with  oral  examinations  for  the  better  testing  of  candidates  ;  to 
enter  into  and  maintain  correspondence  with  other  Presbyteries  in  order 
that  the  same  standard  of  strict  attention  to  the  watch  and  care  of  candi- 
dates may  everywhere  prevail  for  the  common  advantage  and  protection. 
—1900,  p.  54. 

SECTIONS  IV.  AND  V. 

1.  Presbytery  has  discretion  as  to  the  Latin  Exegesis. 

Judicial  Case  No.  9,  being  the  appeal  and  complaint  of  the  Rev.  J.  G. 
Mason,  D.D.,  against  the  Synod  of  New  Jersey. 

The  question  in  this  case  is  whether  the  Presbytery  erred  in  excusing  a 
candidate  for  the  ministry  from  the  Latin  Exegesis,  required  as  one  of  the 
parts  of  trial  for  licensure.  As  the  Assembly  of  1893  decided  that  in 
this  specific  matter  there  may  be  exceptions,  and  as  there  is  nothing  in  the 
record  showing  that  the  exception  made  in  the  case  complained  of  was 
based  upon  insufficient  grounds,  we  recommend  that  the  appeal  be  dis- 
missed.—1900,  p.  120 


FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT,  CHAP.  XV.  1071 

2.  Lecture  and  Sermon  may  be  heard  by  Committee. 

That  the  exception  to  the  Records  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia 
North,  because  "the  popular  lecture  and  sermon  were  heard  by  the  Ex- 
amination Committee  and  not  iu  open  Presbytery,"  is  not  well  takeu. — 
1901,  p.  166. 

SECTION  VI. 

1.    Amendment  as  to  Limitation  of  Time  of  Licensure  of  Candidates. 

Amended  by  the  addition  of  this  clause,  viz. : 

"  And  no  candidate  shall  receive  license  to  preach  until  he  has  been 
under  the  care  of  Presbytery  for  at  least  one  year,  except  in  extraordinary 
cases  and  by  consent  of  three-fourths  of  the  members  of  Presbytery  pres- 
ent."—1901,  p.  157. 

2.   Theological  course  to  be  taken  in  approved  institutions. 

That  the  Assembly  calls  attention  to  the  judgment  already  frequently 
expressed,  that  candidates  for  our  ministry  should  be  educated,  so  far  as 
possible,  in  institutions  of  our  own  Church,  or  those  in  hearty  sympathy 
with  it,  and  in  particular  hereby  direct  all  Presbyteries  to  require  that 
the  theological  course  be  taken  in  institutions  approved  by  the  General 
Assembly.— 1904,  p.  62. 

SECTION  VII. 
1.  Local  evangelist  must  be  formally  licensed  prior  to  ordination. 

Overture  No.  32,  from  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Louis,  asking  whether 
Constitutional  Rule  No.  1  exempts  a  local  evangelist  who  has  complied 
with  the  conditions  from  the  necessity  of  formal  licensure  prior  to  ordi- 
nation.    It  is  recommended  that  the  following  answer  be  given  : 

That  compliance  with  the  provisions  of  Constitutional  Rule  No.  1  does 
not  exempt  a  local  evangelist  from  the  necessity  of  formal  licensure,  prior 
to  ordination,  and  that  he  should  be  examined  before  Presbytery,  first  for 
formal  licensure,  and  then  later  again  for  ordination,  in  accordance  with 
the  provisions  of  the  Form  of  Government,  Chapter  XIV. — 1898,  p.  130. 

[See  for  Constitutional  Rule  No.  1,  this  Digest,  p.  330.] 


CHAPTER   XV. 


OF  THE  ELECTION  AND   ORDINATION  OF  BISHOPS  OR 
PASTORS,  AND  EVANGELISTS. 

SECTION  IX. 
1.  Clause  added  as  to  salaries. 
Amended  by  the  addition  of  the  following  clause,  viz.: 
"  No  change  shall  be  made  in  the  amount  of  salary   stipulated  in  the 
call  without  the  consent  of  Presbytery,  unless  both  minister  and  congre- 
gation agree  thereto  ;  and  only  the  congregation,   regularly   assembled, 
shall  have  power  to  bring  such  a  question  to  the  attention  of  Presbytery." 
—1901,  p.  162. 


1072  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 


SECTION  X. 


1.  Candidates,  except  those  for  foreign  fields,.to  be  ordained  by  the  Presby- 
tery in  which  they  are  to  labor. 

a.  Overture  No.  90,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Springfield,  asking :  Is  it 
in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  Form  of  Government  for  a  Pres- 
bytery to  ordain  a  candidate  for  the  ministry  after  a  call  has  been  ex- 
tended to  him  by  a  church  in  another  Presbytery  ?  Answer  :  The  last 
sentence  of  Section  10,  in  Chapter  XV,  of  the  Form  of  Government,  re- 
quires that  in  such  case  the  Presbytery  shall  dismiss  the  candidate  to  the 
care  of  the  other  Presbytery  before  ordination. — 1905,  p.  207. 

b.  Overture  No.  240,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Union,  asking  as  to  the 
proper  Presbytery  to  ordain  a  candidate  for  the  ministry.  "  The  Presby- 
tery  of  Union  overtures  the  General  Assembly  to  define  more  clearly  the 
ordination  of  a  candidate  for  the  ministry  who  has  been  invited  to  labor 
under  the  supervision  of  the  Home  Mission  Committee  in  another  Pres- 
bytery, and  who  serves  a  Home  Mission  field  simply  as  a  Stated  Supply. 
Should  the  Presbytery  with  which  he  is  connected  as  a  candidate,  or  the 
Presbytery  within  whose  bounds  he  expects  to  labor,  ordain  him  ?  Does 
the  last  sentence  of  Section  10,  Chapter  XV,  of  the  Form  of  Government 
cover  all  cases  of  ordination,  including  Home  and  Foreign  missionaries 
who  act  merely  as  Stated  Supplies?"  It  is  recommended  that  the  follow- 
ing reply  be  given : 

1.  The  ordination  of  a  candidate  for  the  ministry  who  has  been  invited 
to  labor  under  the  supervision  of  the  Home  Mission  Committee  in  another 
Presbytery,  and  who  serves  a  Home  Mission  field  as  a  Stated  Supply, 
should  ordinarily  be  conducted  by  the  Presbytery  within  whose  bounds 
he  expects  to  labor. 

2.  The  last  sentence  of  Section  10,  Chapter  XV,  of  the  Form  of  Gov- 
ernment does  not  include  Foreign  Missionaries. — 1906,  p.  195. 

SECTION  XI. 

1.  The  licensing  and  ordaining  of  a  candidate  at  the  same  meeting  not 

commended. 

Overture  No.  89,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Springfield,  asking  :  Is  the 
practice  of  licensing  and  then  ordaining  candidates  for  the  ministry  at  the 
same  meeting  of  Presbytery  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  Form 
of  Government?  If  not,  how  much  time  shall  elapse  between  licensure 
and  ordination  ?  Answer :  Though  such  a  practice  is  not  commended, 
except  in  rare  circumstances,  it  does  not  violate  any  specific  rules  of  the 
Form  of  Government. — 1905,  p.  207. 

SECTION  XIV. 
1.  Licentiate  when  ordained  ceases  to  be  a  member  of  a  local  church. 

Overture  No.  38,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Muncie,  inquiring  concerning 
the  relation  to  his  local  church  of  a  licentiate  who  has  been  ordained,  and 
suggesting  that  the  local  church  be  directed  to  give  such  a  licentiate  a 
letter  of  dismission  to  the  Presbytery.  Your  Committee  report  that  such 
a  person,  when  ordained,  thereby  ceases  to  be  a  member  of  the  local  church 
to  which  he  belongs ;  that  the  local  church  cannot  give  him  a  letter  of  dis- 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XVII.  1073 

mission  to  Presbytery,  but  that  he  should  at  once  advise  the  church  of  the 
fact  that  he  has  been  ordained,  in  order  that  his  name  may  be  erased  from 
its  roll.— 1901,  p.  63. 

SECTION  XVI. 
1.  New  Section  xvi.  added,  as  to  Ministers  from  other  Denominations. 
XVI.  Ministers  connected  with  other  denominations,  applying  for  mem- 
bership in  a  Presbytery,  shall  submit  satisfactory  evidence  of  possessing 
the  qualifications  of  character  and  scholarship  required  of  candidates  and 
licentiates  of  this  Church  ;  shall  be  examined  in  theology,  and  in  the 
discretion  of  Presbytery  in  other  subjects,  and  shall  answer  in  the 
affirmative,  Questions  1  to  8,  contained  in  Section  xii.  of  this  Chapter. — 
1901,  p.  160. 

2.  Reception  of  Ministers  from  the  Presbyterian  Church  South. 

Overture  No.  34,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Platte,  asking  as  to  the  con- 
ditions of  the  reception  of  ministers  from  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States. 

It  is  recommended  that  the  following  answer  be  given  :  That  ministers 
coming  to  us  from  any  Presbytery  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  may  be  received  on  the  same  basis  as  those  coming  to  us  from  one 
of  our  own  Presbyteries. — 1898,  p.  133. 


CHAPTER   XVII. 
OF  RESIGNING  A  PASTORAL  CHARGE. 
New  Section  ii.  added,  as  to  Pastor  Emeritus. 
II.  When  any  Minister  shall  resign  his  charge  by  reason  of  age  or  in- 
capacity for  further  labor,  and  the  congregation  shall  be  moved  by  affec- 
tionate regard  for  his  person  and  gratitude  for  his  ministry  among  them  to 
desire  that  he  should  continue  to  be  associated  with  them  in  an  honorary 
relation,  they  may,  at  a  regularly  called  meeting,  elect  him  as  Pastor 
Emeritus,  with  or  without  salary,  but  with  no  pastoral  authority  or  duty. 
This  action  shall  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  Presbytery,  and  shall  take 
effect  upon  the  formal  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation. — 1901,  p.  154. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

OF  MISSIONS. 
[See  for  Synodical  Missions,  etc.,  this  Supplement,  p.  1027,  seq.'] 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

OF  MOD  ERA  TORS. 
[See  this  Supplement,  p.  982,  seg.] 


68 


1074  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

CHAPTER  XX. 
OF  CLERKS. 

[See  this  Supplement,  p.  983,  seq.~] 


CHAPTER   XXI. 


OF    VACANT  CONGREGATIONS  ASSEMBLING   FOR 
PUBLIC   WORSHIP. 

SECTIONS  II  TO  IV. 
1.  Three  sections  added  to  Chapter  XXI. 

Amended  by  the  addition  of  the  following  sections  : 

II.  Every  Presbytery  shall  arrange  for  the  supply  of  the  vacant  pulpits 
■within  its  bounds,  either  by  direct  action  at  a  meeting  or  through  a  Com- 
mittee. The  Session  of  a  vacant  church  may  receive  leave  to  supply  the 
pulpit  for  a  period  to  be  fixed  by  Presbytery,  subject  to  the  limitation 
contained  in  the  fourth  section  of  this  chapter. 

III.  Ministers,  licentiates,  and  local  evangelists  connected  with  the 
Presbyteries  of  this  Church  shall  be  the  only  persons  to  be  employed  as 
regular  supplies  in  vacant  churches.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  ministers  not 
engaged  in  regular  church  work  to  render  service  in  vacant  congregations 
within  the  bounds  of  their  respective  Presbyteries,  unless  excused  by  act 
of  Presbytery.  Ministers  of  other  denominations  in  correspondence  with 
this  General  Assembly  may  be  employed  as  occasional  supplies. 

IV.  When  the  pulpit  of  any  congregation  has  been  vacant  for  a  longer 
period  than  twelve  months,  the  appointment  of  ministers  for  the  pulpit 
shall  be  made  by  the  Presbytery,  and  shall  continue  to  be  so  made  until 
a  pastor  has  been  elected  by  the  congregation  and  duly  installed  by  the 
Presbytery.— 1901,  p.  158. 

2.  Vacant  church  defined. 

a.  Overture  No.  50,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Morris  and  Orange,  asking 
that  the  definition  of  a  vacant  church,  on  p.  148  of  the  Digest,  viz.: 
"  Every  congregation  or  church  is  vacant  which  has  not  a  pastor  duly 
installed,"  be  amended  so  as  to  read  :  "  Every  congregation  or  church  is 
vacant  which  has  not  a  stated  supply  approved  by  Presbytery  or  a 
pastor  duly  installed."  Your  Committee  report  that  our  system  contem- 
plates a  pastor  over  every  church,  and  that  therefore  the  proposed  new 
definition  should  not  be  made. — 1901,  p.  63. 

b.  Overture  No.  144,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Morris  and  Orange,  con- 
cerning the  definition  of  a  vacant  church. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XXI.  1075 

Your  Committee  recommend  that  the  following  definition  be  adopted  : 
Every  church  or  congregation  is  vacant  which  has  not  a  pastor  duly 
installed  or  a  regular  supply  appointed  by  the  Presbytery. — 1903,  p.  120. 

3.  Synodical  Missionary  cannot  act  in  vacant  churches  independently 

of  Presbytery. 

Overture  No.  38,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Olympia,  with  reference  to 
the  functions  of  a  Synodical  missionary.  It  is  recommended  that  the 
following  answer  be  returned  : 

1.  That  the  Presbytery  has  full  control  over  the  several  pulpits  within 
its  bounds  and  may  make  all  necessary  arrangements  for  filling  such 
pulpits. 

2.  That  a  Synodical  missionary  may  wisely  be  a  medium  of  communi- 
cation between  ministers  and  vacant  pulpits,  or  between  ministers  and 
Presbyterial  Home  Missionary  Committees ;  but  he  is  not,  by  virtue  of 
his  office,  superior  to  the  authority  of  the  Presbytery,  and  may  not  act 
independently  of  the  Presbytery. — 1898,  p.  143. 

4.  Declaration  that  a  pulpit  is  vacant  commended. 

Overture  No.  41,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Hudson,  concerning  the  de- 
claring a  pulpit  vacant,  and  asking  that  Chapter  XVII.  of  the  Form  of 
Government  should  be  so  amended  that  the  Presbytery  shall  be  directed, 
after  the  dissolution  of  a  pastoral  charge,  to  appoint  a  minister  to  declare 
the  pulpit  vacant  in  the  name  of  the  Presbytery,  in  accordance  with  what 
is  now  the  custom  though  not  the  law.  Your  Committee  report  that 
while  the  custom  is  to  be  commended,  it  does  not  appear  necessary  to  em- 
body it  into  our  formal  law. — 1901,  p.  63. 

[Note.— See  also  this  Supplement,  p.  968.] 

5.  Committee  on  Vacancy  and  Supply  appointed. 

Overtures  Nos.  21,  23,  and  24,  from  the  Presbyteries  of  Detroit,  Troy, 
and  Worcester,  upon  the  same  subject,  ask  the  Assembly  to  recommend  a 
plan  for  securing  service  for  unemployed  ministers  and  for  securing  pastors 
for  vacant  churches.  The  Assembly  referred  the  Overtures  to  a  special 
Committee  to  report  to  the  next  Assembly. — 1899,  p.  109. 

[Note.— See  for  Keports  of  Committee,  1900,  p.  147;  1901,  p.  140;  1902,  p.  114; 
1903,  p.  68 ;  1904,  p.  196,  and  1905,  p.  102.] 

6.  Final  Report  of  Committee,  1905. 

Plan  of  Vacancy  and  Supply. 

1.  Each  Presbytery  shall  appoint  a  Committee,  either  an  existing 
Standing  Committee  or  a  new  one,  under  the  provisions  of  Chapter  XXL 
of  the  Form  of  Government,  as  amended  in  1901,  to  have  supervision  of 
all  vacant  churches  within  its  bounds,  except  as  otherwise  arranged  for 
by  the  Presbytery  ;  the  terrn^f  service  of  members  to  be  not  less  than 
three  years. 


1076  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  Committee  to  prepare  and  keep  a  list 
of  the  vacant  churches  in  the  Presbytery,  and  of  such  of  its  unemployed 
ministers  as  are  competent  for  service  and  not  relieved  from  the  active 
work  of  the  ministry  ;  and  also  to  endeavor  to  arrange  for  the  supply  of 
these  churches  from  its  list  of  available  ministers,  and  from  such  other 
sources  as  may  be  suggested  by  correspondence  ;  all  details  of  adj  ustment, 
such  as  the  amount  to  be  paid  supplies,  the  sum  to  be  contributed  by  the 
churches,  and  the  duration  of  assignments  to  particular  churches,  being 
left  to  each  Presbytery. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  persistent  aim  of  the  Presbytery  and  its  Committee 
to  bring  the  vacant  churches  to  the  full  support  of  this  arrangement  for 
temporary  supply.  But  if,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Presbytery,  pecuniary 
aid  is  needed  beyond  the  amounts  contributed  by  the  vacant  churches 
themselves,  the  Presbytery,  through  its  Committee,  may  apply  for  aid  to 
the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  or  in  the  case  of  churches  belonging  to  self- 
supporting  Synods,  to  the  Home  Mission  and  Sustentation  Committees  of 
such  Synods. 

4.  In  each  Synod  there  shall  be  a  Committee  on  Vacancy  and  Supply, 
preferably  to  be  composed  of  the  Chairmen  or  other  representatives  of 
the  Presbyterial  Committees  within  the  bounds  of  the  Synod,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  report  annually  to  the  Synod  on  the  work  in  its  charge,  to 
unify  the  work  within  the  Synod's  bounds,  to  bring  about  better  relations 
of  supply  and  demand,  and  to  furnish  such  information  to  the  Presby- 
terial Committees  as  may  contribute  to  their  knowledge  and  efficiency. 

5.  When  a  Synod  has  a  Synodical  Missionary  or  Superintendent  of 
Home  Missions,  he  shall  be  the  medium  of  correspondence  on  Vacancy 
and  Supply,  under  the  direction  of  the  Synodical  Committee,  and  shall 
perform  such  other  duties  as  the  Committee  shall  require.  In  all  other 
cases  the  Synodical  Committee  shall  appoint  one  of  its  own  members  to 
perform  the  duties  above  mentioned. 

6.  For  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  medium  of  communication  be- 
tween the  several  Presbyteries  and  Synods,  the  general  care  of  the  work 
of  vacancy  and  supply  shall  be  assigned  to  the  Board  of  Home  Missions, 
with  this  proviso,  that  the  Board  shall  act  only  in  an  advisory  capacity, 
except  in  the  matter  of  applications  for  pecuniary  aid.  The  Board  shall 
appoint  one  of  its  assistant  secretaries  to  have  charge  of  the  work  under 
the  direction  of  the  Board,  who  shall  be  the  medium  of  correspondence 
between  the  Board  and  the  Committees  and  officers  of  Presbyteries  and 
Synods  having  in  charge  vacancy  and  supply.  Any  additional  expenses 
incurred  by  the  Board  in  the  discharge  of  this  particular  duty  shall  be 
paid  out  of  its  funds. 

7.  The  Board  of  Home  Missions,  and  each  of  the  self-supporting 
Synods  through  the  Board,  shall  present  an  Annual  Report  to  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  on  Vacancy  and  Supply,  and  these  Reports  shall  be  re- 
ferred to  the  Standing  Committee  on  Home  Missions. 

The  Committee  expreses  its  appreciation  of  the  value  of  the  supple- 
mentary number  of  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly,  issued  by 
direction  of  the  Assembly  in  January  of  each  year.  It  recommends  that 
the  publication  of  this  supplementary  number  be  continued.  It  also 
recommends  that  the  Stated  Clerk  be  empowered  to  print,  in  his  discre- 
tion, the  lists  of  names  of  unemployed  ministers  desiring  service,  and  of 
vacant  churches. — 1905,  p.  108. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XXII.  1077 

7.  Recommendation  as  to  preaching  of  Secretaries. 

(Dig.  341).  Overture  No.  201,  from  the  Presbytery  of  New  Castle, 
concerning  money  received  by  the  Secretaries  of  the  Boards  for  the  sup- 
ply of  pulpits.  It  is  recommended  that  the  following  answer  be  given  : 
As  to  compensation  for  occasional  pulpit  supplies,  the  Assembly  thinks 
this  matter  should  be  left  to  the  judgment  and  conscience  of  the  salaried 
agents  and  officers  of  the  respective  Boards.  As  to  income  from  extended 
engagements  to  preach  in  a  given  church,  the  question  involves  far  more 
than  the  matter  of  compensation  and  the  use  to  be  made  of  it.  Such 
preaching  might  easily  become  an  impairment  of  efficiency  in  the  work 
of  the  Board  to  which  the  agent  is  already  committed,  aud  for  which  he 
is  already  compensated  and  is  distinctly  responsible. 

The  Assembly  therefore  expresses  its  grave  doubt  whether  such  en- 
gagements should  ever  be  made. — 1900,  p.  56. 


CHAPTER    XXII. 


OF    COMMISSIONERS   TO    THE    GENERAL    ASSEMBLY. 

1.  Commissioners  seated  upon  petition  of  a  majority  of  Presbytery. 

a.  The  Committee  on  Commissions  respectfully  reports  to  the  General 
Assembly  in  the  case  of  the  Rev.  John  W.  Fulton.  The  facts  in  the 
case  are  that  both  the  principal  and  alternate  ministerial  Commissioners 
from  the  Presbytery  of  Bellefontaine  are  providentially  prevented  from 
attending  the  General  Assembly.  In  these  circumstances  ten  of  the  six- 
teen ministerial  members  of  the  Presbytery  and  seven  of  the  ruling  elder 
members  petition  the  General  Assembly  to  seat  the  Rev.  John  W.  Fulton 
as  a  Commissioner  in  this  Assembly  from  the  said  Presbytery.  Your 
Committee  recommend  that  the  request  of  the  petition  be  granted,  and 
cites  as  precedents  the  case  of  Mr.  Robert  Livingston  {Minutes,  1892,  p. 
590)  and  of  Rev.  John  A.  Savage,  D.D.  {Minutes,  1898,  p.  11).— 
1899,  p.  11. 

b.  Case  of  Rev.  John  H.  Laughlin,  Presbytery  of  Chinan. — 1904, 
p.  12. 

c.  Cases  of  Elders  W.  I.  Dishman  and  J.  H.  Watson,  Presbyteries  of 
Grande  Ronde  and  Pembina. — 1905,  p.  12. 

2.  Commissioner  enrolled  who  was  present  at  place  of  meeting,  but 

absent  through  illness  from  the  Assembly. 

The  Assembly  having  been  informed  that  Rev.  Joseph  Sanderson,  D.D., 
a  Commissioner  from  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  has  been  in  this 
city  since  the  opening  of  its  sessions,  but  has  been  prevented  by  illness 
from  attendance,  ordered  that  his  name  be  entered  upon  the  Roll. — 1903, 
p.  28. 


1078  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

CHAPTER  XXIIL 

OF  THE  ORGANIZATIONS  OF  THE  CHURCH:    THEIR 
RIGHTS  AND  DUTIES. 

1.  Text  of  New  Chapter. 

Section  1.  The  members  of  a  particular  church  or  particular  churches 
may  associate  together,  and  may  associate  with  themselves  other  regular 
members  of  the  congregation  or  congregations,  under  regular  forms  of 
association,  for  the  conduct  of  a  special  work  for  missionary  or  other 
benevolent  purposes,  or  for  the  purpose  of  instruction  in  religion  and 
development  in  Christian  nurture. 

Section  2.  Where  special  organizations  of  the  character  above  in- 
dicated exist  in  a  particular  church,  they  shall  be  under  the  immediate 
direction,  control,  and  oversight  of  the  Session  of  said  church  ;  where  they 
cover  the  territory  included  within  a  Presbytery  or  Synod,  they  shall  be 
responsible  to  the  judicatory  having  jurisdiction;  and  where  they  cover 
territory  greater  than  a  Synod,  they  shall  be  resjaonsible  to  the  General 
Assembly. 

Section  3.  The  names  or  titles  of  special  organizations  may  be  chosen 
by  themselves,  and  the  organizations  shall  have  power  to  adopt  each  its 
own  Constitution  and  to  elect  its  own  officers,  subject  always  to  the  powers 
of  review  and  control  vested  by  the  Constitution  in  the  several  judicatories 
of  the  Church. 

Section  4.  Wherever  the  functions  of  the  special  organizations  shall 
include  the  collecting  and  distributing  of  moneys  for  benevolent  work,  it 
shall  be  done  always  subject  to  the  power  of  oversight  and  direction 
vested  by  the  Constitution  in  the  Session  and  in  the  higher  judicatories. — 
1902,  p.  165. 

[Note. — The  above  Chapter  was  reported  to  the  Assembly  of  1901  by  the  Com- 
mittee on  Missionary  and  Benevolent  Offerings,  Rev.  R.  S.  Holmes,  D.D.,  Chairman. 
See  for  the  Report,  Minutes,  1901,  pp.  119-122.] 

2.  Societies  organized  under  Chap.  XXIIL 

[See  Presbyterian  Brotherhood,  p.  1048;  and  Young  People's  Societies, 
p.  1036.] 


,       CHAPTER   XXIV. 

OF    AMENDMENTS. 

1.  Renumbering  of  Chapter  ordered. 

The  Form  of  Government  amended  by  adding  a  new  chapter,  to  be 
called  Chapter  XXIII,  the  present  Chapter  XXIIL  to  be  renumbered  as 
Chapter  XXIV.— 1902,  p.  165. 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XXIV.  1079 

SECTION    I. 

1.  Amendments  to  the  Administrative  Standards. 

1.    The  Form  of  Government. 

1902,  p.  163 — Chap,  ix,  Sec.  vi,  amended. 
1898,  p.  97 — Chap,  ix,  Sec.  vii,  new. 

1900,  p.  146 — Chap,  x,  Sec.  ii,  amended. 

1901,  p.  157 — Chap,  xiv,  Sec.  vi,  amended. 
1901,  p.  162 — Chap,  xv,  Sec.  ix,  new  clause. 
1901,  p.  160 — Chap,  xv,  Sec.  xvi,  new. 
1901,  p.  154 — Chap,  xvii,  Sec.  ii,  new. 

1901,  p.  158 — Chap,  xxi,  Sees,  ii,  iii,  and  iv,  new. 

1902,  p.  164 — Chap,  xxiii.  Of  the  Organizations  of  the  Church:  Their 
Rights  and  Duties.     New. 

2.    The  Book  of  Discipline. 

1902,  p.  157 — Sec.  5a,  new. 

1902,  p.  161— Sec.  26,  altered. 

1902,  p.  158 — Sec.  74,  altered. 

1902,  p.  157 — Sec.  83,  altered;  Sec.  85,  altered;  Sec.  87,  altered; 
Sec.  88,  altered. 

1902,  p.  158— Sec.  89,  altered  ;  Sec.  91,  altered ;  Sec.  93,  stricken  out ; 
Sec.  94,  altered  ;  Sec.  95,  altered. 

1902,  p.  159 — Sec.  99,  sub-section  3,  stricken  out. 

1902,  p.  160— Sec.  107,  altered. 

3.    The  Directory  for    Worship. 

1902,  p.  166 — Chap,  vi,  Sec.  iv,  new. 

SECTION  II. 
1.  Amendments  to  the  Doctrinal  Standards. 

The    Confession   of  Faith. 

1903,  p.  124 — Declaratory  Statement,  new. 

1903,  p.  125 — Footnotes  to  Chap.  iii.  and  to  Chap,  x,  Sec.  iii,  new. 

1903,  p.  125 — Chap,  xvi,  Sec.  vii,  altered. 

1903,  p.  125 — Chap,  xxii,  Sec.  iii,  last  clause,  stricken  out. 

1903,  p.  126 — Chap,  xxv,  Sec.  vi,  altered. 

1903,  p.  126 — Preamble  to  new  chapters,  new. 

1903,  p.  126— Chap,  xxxiv,  "Of  the  Holy  Spirit,"  new. 

1903,  p.  127 — Chap,  xxxv,  "  Of  the  Love  of  God  and  Missions,"  new. 

2.  Return  of  the  written  votes  of  the  Presbyteries  on  Revision. 

The  Stated  Clerk  respectfully  reports  to  the  General  Assembly  the 
votes  of  the  Presbyteries  on  the  Overtures  upon  the  Revision  of  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  sent  down  by  the  last  General  Assembly,  and  transmitted 
to  him  in  writing  by  the  Presbyterial  Stated  Clerks.  The  votes  are  as 
follows  :     [See  for  the  vote  by  Presbyteries,  1903,  pp.  15-18.] 


1080  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

3.   Appointment  of  Committee  of  Canvass. 

The  following  recommendations  are  submitted  for  adoption : 

1.  That  the  Moderator  shall  appoint  a  Committee  of  Canvass  of  the 
answers  to  the  Overtures  on  Revision,  composed  of  three  ministers  and 
two  elders,  to  whom  this  Report  and  the  written  answers  of  the  Presbyteries 
accompanying  it  are  hereby  referred. 

2.  That  the  Committee  of  Canvass  shall  report  to  this  Assembly  a  full 
statement  of  the  vote  on  the  Overtures,  and  the  text  of  such  acts  as  are 
necessary  for  the  exercise  by  the  Assembly  of  its  power  and  the  per- 
formance of  its  duty  in  connection  therewith. — 1903,  p.  18. 

See  for  Reports  of  Committee  on  Revision,  this  Supplement,  pp.  922-924. 

4.  Summary  of  the  State  of  the  Vote  on  Revision. 

Overture  No.                                                                              Affirmative.  Negative. 

1.  Preamble  to  Decl.  Statement 221  4 

2.  Declaratory  Statement,  Ch.  iii 220  5 

3.  Declaratory  Statement,  Ch.  x,  Sec.  3  .    .  219  6 

4.  Footnotes,  Ch.  iii.  and  Ch.  x,  Sec.  3   .    .  221  4 

5.  Confession,  Ch.  xvi,  Sec.  7 218  7 

6.  Confession,  Ch.  xxii,  Sec.  3 215  10 

7.  Confession,  Ch.  xxv,  Sec.  6 220  5 

8.  Preamble  to  new  chapters 216  9 

9.  Confession,  Ch.  xxxiv 218  7 

10.  Confession,  Ch.  xxxv 218  7 

11.  Authority  for  change 222  3 

Number  of  Presbyteries  reporting  no  action,  2  ;    number   making  no 

report,  11  ;  total  number  of  Presbyteries,  238. — 1903,  p.  123. 

5.  Report  of  the  Committee  of  Canvass,  and  Enactments  by  the  General 

Assembly. 

Your  Committee  having  canvassed  the  written  returns  from  the  Pres- 
byteries on  the  Revision  Overtures,  and  having  found  that  the  returns  are 
in  order,  and  that  all  the  Overtures  have  received  more  than  the  necessary 
affirmative  votes  of  two-thirds  of  the  Presbyteries,  report  that  it  is  there- 
fore the  duty  of  this  Assembly  to  take  action  now,  according  to  the  Form 
of  Government,  Chapter  XXIV,  Section  2,  in  regard  to  the  enactment 
of  the  Overtures.  We  recommend  that  in  view  of  the  great  importance 
of  the  subject,  and  in  order  to  meet  in  full  all  legal  and  technical  require- 
ments, action  shall  be  taken  upon  the  Overtures  seriatim,  and  as  follows : 

1.  Resolved,  That  Overture  No.  1,  having  received  the  affirmative  vote 
of  221  Presbyteries,  submitted  in  writing,  be  and  hereby  is  agreed  to  and 
enacted  by  this  General  Assembly,  and  we  declare  that  the  following 
Preamble  to  a  Declaratory  Statement  is  a  part  of  the  Constitution  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.— 1903,  p.  124. 

[Similar  enactments  for  each  Overture  were  adopted  by  the  Assembly ; 
see  1903,  pp.  124-128.] 

6.  Resolution  of  enactment  for  the  whole  Revision. 

a.  Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  do  now  declare  that  the  whole  Revision 
of  the  Confession  of  Faith,  approved  and  proposed  to  the  Church  by  the 
Assembly  of  1902,  adopted  by  the  constitutional  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the 
Presbyteries,  has  been  agreed  to  and  enacted  by  this  General  Assembly 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XXIV.  1081 

of  1903,  and  is  now  incorporated  into  the  doctrinal  Standards  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  that  this 
Assembly  do  now  hold  a  service  of  thanksgiving  and  praise  to  God,  the 
Father,  the  Sou,  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  who  has  led  us  to  this  conclusion  in 
brotherly  love,  in  au  earnest  desire  to  promote  His  glory,  and  in  steadfast 
loyalty  to  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  Christ  our  only  Lord  and  Saviour. — 
1903,  p.  128. 

b.  After  the  adoption  of  the  several  paragraphs  seriatim,  the  whole 
Report  was  adopted  unanimously  by  a  rising  vote. — 1903,  p.  124. 

7.  Declaration  by  the  Moderator. 

The  Moderator,  by  the  authority  committed  to  him,  declared  the  subject- 
matter  of  the  following  Overtures,  sent  down  to  the  Presbyteries  by  the 
Assembly  of  1902,  and  reported  upon  by  the  Committee  on  Canvass,  to 
be  now  a  part  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Church,  as  follows,  viz. : 

Overtures  Nos.  one  (1),  two  (2),  three  (3),  four  (4),  five  (5),  six  (6), 
seven  (7),  eight  (8),  nine  (9),  ten  (10).— 1903,  p.  128. 

8.  Necessary  changes  committed  to  the  Permanent  Committee  on  the 

Constitution. 

Authority  was  given  to  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Editions  of  the 
Constitution  to  make  the  changes  in  the  Constitution  made  necessary  by 
the  adoption  and  enactment  of  the  Overtures. — 1903,  p.  125. 
[Note. — The  same  authority  given  on  other  changes. — 1902,  p.  162.] 

9.  Action  as  to  the  vote  of  Foreign  Presbyteries. 

The  Stated  Clerk  presented  to  the  Assembly  the  need  of  action  on  the 
matter  of  securing  answers  from  all  the  Presbyteries,  more  especially  those 
in  foreign  mission  lands,  to  the  Overtures  on  Revision.  The  subject  was 
referred  to  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures.  The  Committee  pre- 
sented the  following  Report,  which  was  adopted : 

Whereas,  All  Presbyteries  are  equally  entitled  to  vote  upon  every 
Overture  transmitted  to  the  General  Assembly  ;  and, 

Whereas,  A  failure  to  vote  upon  such  Overtures  is  equivalent  to  a 
negative  vote  ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  instructed  to  make  special  requisition 
upon  the  foreign  mission  Presbyteries,  which  not  unfreqently  decline  to 
exercise  their  rights  in  this  regard,  to  consider  and  vote  promptly  upon  all 
the  Overtures  relating  to  the  Revision  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  re- 
port their  action  to  him. — 1902,  p.  153. 

Overture  No.  59,  from  the  Weihsien  Presbytery  of  the  Synod  of  North 
China,  asking  that  in  cases  where  the  foreign  Presbyteries  decline  to  vote, 
the  attitude  of  these  Presbyteries  toward  the  question  at  issue  be  considered 
as  neutral,  and  not  negative.  The  Committee  recommends  that  no  action 
be  taken. — 1904,  p.  177. 

10.  The  Reunion  and  Union  with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

[See  for  Report  of  Committees  of  Canvass  of  the  Assemblies  at  Winona 
and  Fresno,  1905,  this  Supplement,  pp.  924  and  926.  Also  for  Announce- 
ments of  Moderators,  1906,  this  Supplement,  p.  937.] 


1082  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

SECTION  III. 

1.  Appointment  of  Committee  on  Revision. 

[See  this  Supplement,  p.  942.] 

2.  Member  withdraws  because  of  transfer  to  another  Synod. 

After  signing  the  Report  [on  Revision]  on  April  19,  1902,  Dr.  [J.  Ross] 
Stevenson  forwarded  to  the  Moderator  of  the  General  Assembly  his 
formal  resignation  as  a  member  of  this  Committee.  In  doing  so,  he 
stated  as  his  reason  his  anticipated  transfer  of  membership  from  the  Synod 
of  Missouri  to  the  Synod  of  New  York,  which  latter  Synod  already  had 
its  full  representation  on  the  Committee  under  the  provision  of  the  Form 
of  Governmeut,  Chapter  XXIII,  Section  3.  He  desired  that  no  question 
of  constitutionality  should  be  raised  on  account  of  this  change. — 1902,  p.  97. 

SECTION  VI. 

1.  Amendments  declared  inoperative  because  of  prior  agreement  as  to 

Reunion. 

a.  Whereas,  In  1904-5  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
of  America  adopted  certain  amendments  to  its  Form  of  Government  and 
Book  of  Discipline  with  reference  to  Judicial  Commissions,  etc.  ;  and, 

Whereas,  The  said  Church  had  previously  entered  into  a  solemn  agree- 
ment with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  for  Reunion  and  Union 
on  a  doctrinal  and  ecclesiastical  basis,  specifically  defined  and  conditioned, 
and  had  provided  that  said  basis  should  be  binding  upon  the  fulfillment 
of  the  conditions  ;  and, 

Whereas,  Said  conditions  have  been  fulfilled  and  said  basis  has  become 
binding : 

Now  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America  hereby  adjudges  and  solemnly  declares  that,  by  virtue 
of  said  prior  agreement  fixing  the  basis  of  Reunion  and  Union  as  afore- 
said, under  which  organic  union  is  now  to  be  consummated,  the  amend- 
ments above  referred  to  and  not  contemplated  as  a  part  of  said  basis,  upon 
the  consummation  of  Union  will  be  forthwith  no  longer  in  force,  nor  will 
they  be  operative  in  the  reunited  Church  as  any  part  of  its  ecclesiastical 
standards,  until  and  unless  resubmitted  to  the  Presbyteries  of  the  reunited 
Church  ;  and  all  the  Presbyteries  and  Synods  of  the  Church  are  enjoined 
in  all  cases  hereafter  arising  to  act  under  the  standards  as  they  existed  on 
May  27,  1904,  except  as  amended  in  respect  to  Chapter  X,  Section  2, 
Form  of  Government,  in  relation  to  the  erection  of  separate  Presbyteries 
and  Synods  for  different  races  and  nationalities. — 1905,  p.  15. 

2.  Amendments  sent  down  a  second  time. 

The  Committee  to  Canvass  the  Vote  of  the  Presbyteries  upon  Overtures 
sent  down  by  the  Assembly  of  1905  presented  the  following  Report,  which 
was  adopted : 

Your  Committee  has  been  appointed  to  canvass  the  written  answers  to 
Overtures  sent  down  by  the  last  Assembly  to  the  Presbyteries.  These 
Overtures  relate  to  certain  amendments  to  our  Form  of  Government  and 


FORM    OF    GOVERNMENT,    CHAP.    XXIV.  1083 

Book  of  Discipline  amendatory  of  the  scheme  or  plan  for  Judicial  Com- 
missions, incorporated  into  the  Book  of  Discipline  and  Form  of  Govern- 
ment by  the  adoption  of  Overtures  relating  thereto,  Nos.  1-5,  sent  down 
by  the  Assembly  of  1904  to  the  Presbyteries. 

This  Assembly  has  already  declared  (see  Minutes  of  Friday,  May  18, 
1906)  in  effect  that  such  amendments  (to  any  of  our  Standards  since  the 
Plan  of  Union  and  Reunion,  embodying  a  Basis  of  Union,  was  crystal- 
lized as  of  the  time  it  was  agreed  to  by  the  two  contracting  Churches) 
would  in  the  event  of  the  consummation  of  organic  union  be  no  longer 
operative  until  and  unless  resubmitted  to  all  the  Presbyteries  of  the 
reunited  Church. 

The  Overtures  submitted  to  your  Committee,  and  those  adopted  by  the 
last  General  Assembly  after  canvassing  the  answers  to  the  Overtures  sent 
down  by  the  Assembly  of  1904,  fall  within  this  category,  and  organic 
Union  having  been  consummated,  it  would  be  an  idle  form  to  proceed 
along  the  lines  indicated  by  the  resolution  of  the  Assembly  of  1901,  above 
referred  to,  and  your  Committee  accordingly  recommend  the  adoption  of 
the  following  resolutions : 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  report  of  the  Stated  Clerk  referred  to  this  Com- 
mittee be  spread  upon  the  Minutes,  to  preserve  the  record  of  the  affirma- 
tive action  of  a  constitutional  majority  of  the  Presbyteries. 

Resolved,  2.  That  your  Committee  be  excused  from  making  the  can- 
vass, and  the  Moderator  relieved  from  the  duty  of  making  an  empty 
declaration,  in  view  of  this  Assembly's  above-mentioned  action  of  May  18, 
1906. 

Resolved,  3.  That  in  order  to  effectuate  legally  the  Plan  as  to  Judicial 
Commissions,  so  far  acceptable  to  the  Church,  and  sought  to  be  com- 
pleted and  perfected  by  the  amendments  specified  in  the  Overtures 
referred  to  this  Committee,  free  from  any  question  of  breach  of  faith  to 
the  one  hundred  and  fourteen  (114)  Presbyteries  yesterday  received  into 
and  now  belonging  to  our  Church,  which  did  not  have  in  contemplation 
these  modifications  of  our  ecclesiastical  Standards  when  they  assented  to 
the  Basis  and  Plan  of  Union  and  Reunion,  this  Assembly  proposes  to  all 
the  Presbyteries  of  the  reunited  Church,  by  Overtures  appropriate  thereto, 
the  amendment  of  the  Book  of  Discipline  and  the  Form  of  Government 
so  as  to  embody  the  result  of  affirmative  action  by  our  Presbyteries  upon 
the  Overtures,  Nos.  1—5  inclusive,  sent  down  in  the  premises  by  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  1904,  as  affected  and  supplemented  by  the  Overtures, 
Nos.  1-4  inclusive,  sent  down  by  the  General  Assembly  of  1905  ;  and 
that  the  Stated  Clerk  be,  and  he  hereby  is  authorized  to  prepare  such 
Overtures  and  to  send  them  down,  prefaced  by  the  inquiry,  "  Shall  the 
Book  of  Discipline  or  Form  of  Government  (as  the  case  may  be,  with 
proper  reference  to  the  chapter  and  section)  be  amended,  from  the  form 
in  which  it  stood  at  the  time  the  Basis  of  Union  between  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church  and  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.  was 
agreed  to,  so  as  to  read  as  follows?" — 1906,  pp.  154,  155. 


3.  Declaration  as  to  adoption  of  Overtures. 

a.    Upon  the  approval  of  this  Report,  the   Moderator  announced  as 
follows : 

"  I  announce  that  the  Overtures  on  Pastor   Emeritus,    Constitutional 


1084  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

Rule  No.  3,  Limitation  upon  Time  of  Licensure  of  Candidates,  Supply  of 
Vacant  Churches,  Ministers  from  Other  Denominations,  and  Salaries  of 
Ministers,  having  been  adopted  by  a  Constitutional  majority  of  the 
Presbyteries,  are  now  a  part  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Church." — 1901, 
p.  163. 

b.  The  Stated  Clerk  was  directed  and  authorized  to  insert  the  Over- 
tures, declared  by  the  Moderator  to  have  been  adopted,  in  their  proper 
place  in  the  Constitution  of  the  Church. — 1901,  p.  163. 

[Note. — Similar  announcements  were  made  and  directions  given  as  to  all  the 
Amendments  adopted  from  time  to  time.] 


BOOK    OF    DISCIPLINE,    SECT.    5.  1085 


PART  IV. 

THE  BOOK  OF  DISCIPLINE. 


CHAPTER  I. 
OF  DISCIPLINE:   ITS  NATURE,  ENDS,  AND  SUBJECTS, 

SECTION  III. 
1.  Entire  separation  from  the  liquor  traffic  urged. 

The  General  Assembly  hereby  reaffirms  its  previous  deliverances  on 
temperance,  laying  special  emphasis  upon  personal  total  abstinence  on  the 
part  of  the  members  of  the  Church,  and  entire  separation  from  any  con- 
nection with  the  liquor  traffic. — 1902,  p.  101. 

That  all  our  membership  be  urged  to  abstain  from  all  complicity  with 
the  liquor  traffic,  in  any  and  every  manner  and  form,  thus  abstaining 
from  even  the  appearance  of  evil. — 1903,  p.  160. 

2.  Persons  encouraging  the  liquor  traffic  subject  to  discipline. 

[See  this  Supplement,  p.  962.] 

3.  Educational  institutions  urged  to  prohibit  the  use  of  liquor. 

That  the  Assembly  urges  the  management  of  our  educational  institu- 
tions to  discourage,  and  as  far  as  practicable  to  prohibit,  the  use  of  liquor 
by  their  students,  and  at  all  social  functions. — 1905,  p.  180. 

4.  Deliverance  against  the  license  system. 

That  the  license  system  is  wrong  in  principle,  is  contrary  to  the  Gospel 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  has  proven  futile  in  practice  as  a  temper- 
ance measure. 

Our  members  are  hereby  warned  most  solemnly  against  signing  or 
presenting  for  citizens'  signature,  or  in  court,  license  petitions  which 
tolerate  the  continuance  of  this  unholy  traffic,  or  in  any  other  manner 
abetting  this  terrible  business.  This  Assembly  is  unalterably  opposed  to 
the  license  system. — 1906,  p.  176. 

SECTION  5. 

[New  Section.— Adopted  1902.] 

1.  Distinction  between  judicial  and  non-judicial  cases  established. 

5a.  Every  case  in  which  there  is  a  charge  of  an  offense  against  a 
church  member  or  officer  shall  be  known,  in  its  original  and  appellate 
stages,  as  a  judicial  case.  "Every  other  case  shall  be  known  as  a  non- 
judicial or  administrative  case. — 1902,  p.  157. 


1086  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

CHAPTER  III. 
OF   CHARGES  AND  SPECIFICATIONS. 

SECTION  15. 
Synod  may  not  order  trial  on  other  than  original  charges. 

[See  Warszawiak  Case,  this  Supplement,  Book  of  Disc,  Sect.  99.] 


CHAPTER   IV. 


OF  PROCESS:    GENERAL  RULES  PERTAINING    TO  ALL 

CASES. 

SECTION  18. 

1.  Teachings  of  Dr.  A.  C.  McGiffert  referred  to  the  Presbytery  of  New 
York  as  the  body  having  primary  responsibility. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  presented  the  addi- 
tional Report  in  the  matter  of  the  teachings  of  the  Rev.  A.  C.  McGiffert, 
D.D.,  as  follows: 

We  recommend  that  the  whole  matter  of  the  teachings  of  the  Rev. 
A.  C.  McGiffert,  D.D.,  in  his  book  entitled  A  History  of  Christianity  in 
the  Apostolic  Age,  be  referred  to  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  to  which 
belongs  the  primary  constitutional  responsibility,  for  such  disposition  as 
in  its  judgment  the  peace  of  the  Church  and  purity  of  doctrine  may 
require. 

A  minority  Report  signed  by  eight  members  was  also  presented,  and, 
after  full  consideration,  the  Report  of  the  Committee  was  adopted  by  a 
decided  majority,  and  on  motion  the  vote  was  made  unanimous. — 1899, 
p.  98. 

SECTION  19. 

1.  Judicial  Suspension  may  not  be  without  formal  trial. 

Judicial  Case  No.  10.  The  Judicial  Commission  appointed  by  the 
General  Assembly,  to  whom  was  referred  the  appeal  of  the  Rev.  Moses 
Bercovitz  from  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  New  Mexico  directing  the 
Presbytery  of  Rio  Grande  to  suspend  him  from  the  ministry,  took  the 
following  action  : 

They  entertained  the  appeal,  heard  representatives  of  the  parties,  and 
decided  as  follows : 

The  Synod  of  New  Mexico  erred  in  directing  the  Presbytery  of  Rio 
Grande  to  suspend  the  Rev.  Moses  Bercovitz  without  formal  trial,  and 
the  suspension  of  the  Rev.  Moses  Bercovitz  by  the  Presbytery,  in  com- 
pliance with  the  order  of  the  Synod,  is  hereby  reversed  ;  and  the  Synod 
of  New  Mexico  is  directed  to  instruct  the  Presbytery  of  Rio  Grande  to 
take  such  action  in  the  premises  as  will  secure  the  interests  of  religion, 
the  good  order  of  the  Church,  and  full  justice  to  all  the  parties  con- 
cerned.—1899,  p.  127. 

[Note. — See  also  Bose  Case,  this  Supplement,  Book  of  Disc.,  Sect.  99.] 


BOOK    OF    DISCIPLINE,    SECT.  44.  1087 

SECTION   26. 
1.  Section  26  amended  as  to  eligibility  of  counsel. 

Overture  No.  4.  Shall  Section  26  of  the  Book  of  Discipline  be  amended 
or  altered,  so  as  to  read  : 

26.  Each  of  the  parties  in  a  judicial  case  shall  be  entitled  to  appear 
and  be  represented  by  counsel,  and  to  be  heard  by  oral  or  written  argu- 
ment. No  person  shall  be  eligible  as  counsel  who  is  not  a  minister  or 
ruling  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
and  no  person  having  acted  as  counsel  in  a  judicial  case  shall  sit  as  a 
judge  therein.  The  counsel  of  the  prosecutor  in  a  judicial  case  where 
prosecution  is  initiated  by  a  judicatory,  shall  be  the  prosecuting  com- 
mittee authorized  to  be  appointed  by  Section  11  of  this  Book,  and  such 
other  persons  as  may  be  appointed  under  the  provisions  of  said  section  to 
assist  the  prosecuting  committee.  No  person  shall  accept  any  fee  or  other 
emolument  for  any  service  rendered  as  counsel. — 1902,  p.  161. 

SECTION  29. 

1.  Presbytery  cannot  be  required  to  furnish  Synod  Record  of  Case. 

An  appeal  of  Robert  J.  Todd  and  others  against  the  Presbytery  of 
Boston  ;  and 

The  second  of  these  papers,  called  an  appeal,  complains  of  the  action 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Boston  in  declining  to  give  to  the  appellants  full 
copies  of  all  records  pertaining  to  the  case,  that  had  recently  been  decided 
by  the  Synod  of  New  York,  sitting  at  Ithaca,  October  22,  1903,  and 
against  which  decision  Messrs.  Todd  and  others  gave  notice  of  appeal  to 
this  Assembly.  As  the  appeal  was  against  the  action  of  the  Synod,  it  is 
evident  that  the  Presbytery  could  not  be  required  to  furnish  the  desired 
records.  We  therefore  recommend  the  dismissal  of  this  appeal. — 1904, 
p.  84. 

2.  No  time  specified  for  furnishing  Record  of  Case. 

A  complaint  of  Robert  J.  Todd  and  others  against  the  action  of  the 
Stated  Clerk  of  the  Synod  of  New  York. 

With  respect  to  the  complaint  against  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Synod  of 
New  York  for  not  furnishing  full  records  of  the  case  to  the  appellants  as 
soon  as  they  desired  to  receive  them,  it  may  be  said  that  there  is  no  speci- 
fied time  within  which  he  must  comply  with  such  a  request  (Book  of 
Discipline,  Sec.  29).  And  since  the  Stated  Clerk  furnished  them  about 
five  months  before  the  meeting  of  this  Assembly,  this  must  be  judged  to 
be  a  sufficient  time. 

We  therefore  recommend  the  dismissal  of  this  complaint. — 1904,  p.  85. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

GENERAL   RULES  PERTAINING    TO    THE   TRIAL    OF   A 
MINISTER,  ELDER,   OR  DEACON 

SECTION  44. 
Deposition  carries  with  it  removal  from  the  Roll. 
Overture  No.  75,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Black  Hills,  on  Striking  from 
the  Roll  the  Name  of  a  Deposed  Minister : 


1088  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

The  Presbytery  of  the  Black  Hills  hereby  overtures  the  General 
Assembly,  requesting  to  know  whether  the  action  of  deposing  a  minister 
from  the  ministry  carries  with  it  the  striking  of  said  minister's  name 
off  the  roll  without  further  action  by  Presbytery,  or  not.  Answer  :  It 
would  be  well  for  the  Presbytery,  in  deposing  a  minister,  to  make  the 
striking  of  the  name  from  the  roll  a  part  of  the  action  ;  yet,  strictly 
speaking,  deposition  carries  with  it  the  removal  of  his  name  from  the 
roll.— 1905,  p.  207. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

OF  CASES  WITHOUT  PROCESS. 
SECTION  49. 

1.  Reserve  Roll  for  non-resident  members  only. 

Overture  No.  73,  from  the  Synod  of  Tennessee,  as  to  Church  Members 
on  the  Reserve  Roll  : 

The  Synod  of  Tennessee  hereby  respectfully  and  earnestly  overtures 
the  General  Assembly  to  take  some  action  that  will  limit  and  guard  the 
permission  to  place  names  of  church  members  upon  a  reserved  roll.  We 
are  sure  that  great  loss  is  coming  to  our  Church  in  this  way.  We  fear 
there  is  not  proper  and  persistent  pastoral  care  and  oversight  used  in 
these  cases  by  ministers  and  Sessions.  We  pray  your  honorable  body, 
therefore,  to  define  more  clearly  and  carefully  the  conditions  and  circum- 
stances that  will  justify  a  Session  in  taking  such  action.  The  following 
answer  is  recommended :  The  Reserve  Roll  is  authorized  by  Section  49, 
Book  of  Discipline.  It  is  for  non-resident  members  only.  It  must  not  be 
confounded  with  Section  50,  Book  of  Discipline,  which  applies  to  resident 
members  who  neglect  Church  ordinances,  and  who  have  no  place  on  this 
Reserve  Roll.  Under  neither  rule  and  on  neither  roll  should  any  name 
be  entered  until  after  the  most  careful  and  earnest  efforts  to  restore  to- 
Christian  faithfulness.     Adopted. — 1905,  p.  207. 

1.  Title  of  Reserve  changed  to  Suspended  Roll. 

One  of  the  most  troublesome  items  of  the  Committee's  work  was  the 
column  in  the  Statistical  Tables  entitled  "  The  Reserve  Roll " — first  as  to 
its  relation  to  the  balancing  of  the  returns  of  membership,  and  second  as 
to  its  name.  The  balancing  of  the  returns  has  been  provided  for  by  the 
Committee  through  the  insertion  of  a  new  column  to  be  entitled 
"Restored,"  in  which  the  number  of  the  persons  may  be  placed  who  have 
been  restored  to  the  list  of  regular  commuuicants.  The  name  of  the 
column  was  and  is  a  more  serious  matter,  for  the  reason  that  it  has  not 
been  properly  understood  by  some  church  Sessions.  The  "  Reserve 
Roll  "  is  based  upon  the  provisions  of  Section  49  of  the  Book  of  Disci- 
pline. That  section  has  to  do  solely  with  non-resident  communicants  who 
have  been  absent  for  two  years  or  more,  who  have  not  asked  for  or 
received  the  Regular  Certificate  of  Dismission  to  another  church,  and  who 
do  not  reply,  for  one  cause  or  another,  to  letters  from  the  Clerk  ^f  Session 
advising  them  to  apply  for  such  Certificates.  The  Session  is  authorized, 
upon  report  duly  made,  to  place  the  names  of  such  negligent  non-resident 
communicants  on  the  Roll  of  Suspended  Members,  until  satisfied   of  the 


BOOK    OF    DISCIPLINE,    SECT.    51.  1089 

propriety  of  their  restoration.  It  is  evident  from  these  provisions  of  the 
Book  of  Discipline  that  the  action  taken  by  the  Session  in  such  cases  is 
of  the  nature  of  a  judicial  case  without  process. 

That  such  is  the  fact  appears  by  Chapter  7  of  the  Book  of  Discipline, 
which  includes  Section  49,  and  is  entitled  "  Of  Cases  without  Process." 
The  persons  whose  numbers  are  reported  in  the  column  known  as  the 
Reserve  Roll  are  therefore  dealt  with  judicially,  though  in  an  informal 
maimer,  and  the  charge  against  them  is  "  prolonged  absence  without  ex- 
cuse." The  Committee  feels  that  in  order  to  remove  all  apprehension  as 
to  the  character  of  the  column  it  should  be  entitled  hereafter  "  Sus- 
pended Roll."  This  change  appears  to  be  required  not  only  because  of 
misunderstanding,  but  also  because  of  the  express  provisions  of  the  Book 
of  Discipline.— 1906,  pp.  216,  217. 

[Note. — See  for  action  of  Assembly  changing  the  headings  of  columns  in  the  An- 
nual Reports,  this  Supplement,  p.  964.] 

SECTION  51. 

1.  Ministers  cannot  be  required  to  seek  demission. 

Overture  No.  34,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Beuicia,  relative  to  demission 
from  the  ministry,  asking  the  Assembly  to  direct  Presbyteries,  that  when 
ministerial  members  have  been  for  three  years,  and  without  sufficient 
reason,  with  no  ministerial  duties  under  the  approval  of  Presbytery,  they 
should  be  required  by  Presbytery  to  seek  demission  from  the  ministry, 
under  the  provisions  of  Section  51  of  the  Book  of  Discipline.  Your 
Committee  report  that  ministerial  members  in  such  cases,  cannot  be  com- 
pelled, under  our  rules,  to  seek  demission,  though  Presbyteries  may  prop- 
erly advise  with  them  as  to  what  it  is  best  to  do  under  such  circumstances. 
—1901,  p.  62. 

2.  Demission  allowable  only  after  a  year's  probation. 

Overture  No.  35,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Chicago.  Presbytery  asks  in- 
structions from  the  Assembly  whether,  under  Section  51  of  the  Book  of 
Discipline,  it  can  allow  a  minister  who  seeks  demission,  and  who  in  the 
judgment  of  Presbytery  acts  wisely  in  seeking  it,  to  demit  the  ministry 
immediately  without  waiting  for  a  year's  probation.  Your  Committee 
report  that  this  Section  of  the  Book  of  Discipline  evidently  gives  permis- 
sion to  the  Presbytery  to  allow  demission  only  after  a  year's  consideration 
by  the  Presbytery  and  the  minister  ;  that  such  is  part  of  our  Constitution 
to  which  the  several  Presbyteries  have  assented  ;  that  it  does  not  appear 
that  any  real  hardship  can  be  suffered  by  a  year's  waiting,  and  that  it  is  the 
judgment  of  the  Assembly  that  this  provision  of  the  Book  of  Discipline, 
as  thus  interpreted,  should  be  complied  with. — 1901,  p.  62. 

Overture  No.  90,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Puget  Sound,  as  to  the  mean- 
ing and  force  of  Section  51,  Book  of  Discipline.  The  Presbytery  of 
Puget  Sound  would  respectfully  inquire  of  the  General  Assembly, 
whether  Section  51  of  the  Book  of  Discipline  means  that  the  Presbytery 
may,  at  its  discretion,  grant  an  immediate  demission  of  the  ministry,  or 
ihat  Presbytery  must  put  the  applicant  on  probation  for  at  least  one  year  ? 
The  Committee  is  unanimously  of  the  opinion  that  an  immediate  demis- 
sion of  the  ministry  is  not  contemplated  by  Section  51  of  the  Book  of 
Discipline  ;  but  that  if  any  action  whatever  is  taken  upon  a  minister's 
request  for  demission,  he  must-be  put  upon  probation  for  at  least  one  vear. 
—1906,  p.  194. 

69 


1090  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

SECTION  53. 
Names  of  absentee  ministers  erased  from  the  Roll. 

a.  Overture  No.  40,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Brooklyn,  asking  leave  to 
erase  from  their  roll  the  names  of  two  ministers  whose  whereabouts  have 
not  been  known  for  twenty -five  years,  such  erasure  to  be  without  preju- 
dice to  their  ministerial  character.  Your  Committee  report  that  permis- 
sion was  granted  by  the  Assembly  of  1891,  on  an  Overture  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Brooklyn,  to  report  such  names  apart  from  others  ;  the 
names  being  printed  on  a  Reserved  Roll,  and  not  to  be  counted  in  deter- 
mining their  representation  in  the  Assembly.  Your  Committee  therefore 
report,  recommending  to  the  Presbytery  of  Brooklyn  in  the  present 
instance  that  such  a  disposition  be  made  of  the  two  names  now  in  ques- 
tion.—1901,  p.  63. 

b.  Overture  No.  236,  from  the  Presbytery  of  New  Albany,  asking  leave 
to  erase  the  name  of  a  missing  minister  from  its  Roll.  "  Whereas  the 
whereabouts  of  the  Rev.  George  V.  Dickey,  a  member  of  this  Presbytery, 
have  been  unknown  to  us  for  several  years,  and  whereas  we  are  unable 
to  get  into  communication  with  him,  we  respectfully  overture  the  Assem- 
bly, asking  leave  to  erase  his  name  from  our  Roll,  without  prejudice  to 
his  ministerial  standing."  It  is  recommended  that  the  Overture  be 
answered  in  the  affirmative,  and  that  the  name  above  given  be  erased 
from  the  Roll.— 1906,  p.  195. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 
OF  EVIDENCE. 


SECTION  68. 
1.  Case  referred  back  because  of  alleged  new  evidence. 

Judicial  Case  No.  1,  being  the  petition  of  Rev.  C.  W.  Backus,  D.D., 
asking  for  a  rehearing  of  his  case.     The  following  action  is  recommended  : 

Resolved,  That  as  the  petition  of  Dr.  Backus  alleges  discovery  of  new 
evidence  in  that  the  Records  of  Synod  as  placed  before  the  last  General 
Assembly  were  not  complete,  the  Committee  recommend  that  the  case  be 
referred  back  to  the  Synod  of  Kansas  to  be  disposed  of  as  the  interests  of 
the  parties  may  determine. — 1900,  p.  120. 


CHAPTER   IX. 
I.   OF  GENERAL  REVIEW  AND  CONTROL. 

SECTION  72. 

Proceedings  must  be  correctly  recorded. 

Synod  of  Illinois.     There  is  no  mention  of  the  party  who  complains 
against  said  Presbytery.     There  is  no  mention  made  of  the  Presbytery 


BOOK    OF    DISCIPLINE,   SECT.  76.  1091 

against  which  complaint  is  made.     For  its  incompleteness  we  object  to 
this  Record.— 1899,  p.  120. 

[Note. — See  also  this  Supplement,  under  Synods,  p.  978.] 

SECTION  74. 
1.  Amended  by  omission  of  Words  in  last  clause. 

Amend  and  alter  the  last  clause  of  Section  74  by  omitting  the  words 
•"or  complaint,"  so  that  it  shall  read  : 

Provided,  That  no  judicial  decision  shall  be  reversed,  unless  regularly- 
taken  up  on  appeal. — 1902,  p.  158. 

2.  A  judicial  decision  cannot  be  reversed  by  review  of  records. 

The  Synod  (N.  J.)  having  entertained  a  complaint  against  the  Presby- 
tery of  Monmouth  for  a  certain  action,  and  tried  the  case  by  a  Judicial 
Commission,  which  rendered  a  judgment  sustaining  the  Presbytery,  sub- 
sequently recorded  an  exception  to  the  Minutes  of  said  Presbytery  because 
of  the  action  complained  of,  thus  by  an  administrative  act  reversing  a 
judicial  decision.  It  is  recommended  that  the  Synod  be  instructed  to 
review  its  action  and  make  it  consistent. — 1901,  p.  165. 

[Note. — See  also  this  Supplement,  Bose  Case,  Book  of  Disc,  Sect.  99.] 

SECTION  76. 

1.  Primary  inquiry  in  certain  cases  belongs  to  Synod.    Deliverance 
as  to  forms  of  modern  unbelief. 

Overture  No.  66,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Westminster,  is  as  follows : 

"  The  Presbytery  of  Westminster  would  respectfully  overture  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  to  inquire  if  it  be  true  that  the  Presbytery  of  Nassau 
persists  in  keeping  upon  its  roll  of  ministerial  members  one  or  more  per- 
sons who  are  not  in  accord  with  the  doctrines  of  our  Church,  and  who 
publicly  denounce  many  of  those  doctrines  which  we  believe  essential  and 
lie  at  the  very  foundations  of  the  Christian  religion."  It  is  recommended 
that  no  action  be  taken,  Section  76  of  the  Book  of  Discipline  indicating 
that  the  primary  inquiry  belongs  properly  to  the  Synod  of  New  York,  to 
which  judicatory  the  Presbytery  of  Nassau  is  immediately  inferior. 

However,  your  Committee  proposes  that  the  following  Minute  be 
adopted,  viz : 

Resolved,  That,  in  view  of  the  many  forms  of  modern  unbelief  which 
are  at  once  insidious  in  their  approach,  unblushing  in  their  insolence,  and 
disastrous  in  their  results,  this  General  Assembly  solemnly  calls  upon  all 
its  Presbyteries  and  ministers  and  people  to  be  loyal  to  all  the  great  doc- 
trines of  our  historic  faith,  and  while  according  generous  respect  to  the 
varying  views  of  others  who  are  one  with  us  in  acknowledging  Jesus 
Christ  as  Divine  Saviour  and  Lord,  at  the  same  time  also  to  guard  with 
jealous  care  and  loving  pride  the  integrity  and  purity  of  that  faith  which 
we  solemnly  believe  to  be  taught  in  Holy  Scripture,  which  by  the  blessing 
of  God  has  made  Presbyterianism  so  great  a  power  for  good  in  the  past, 
and  which  in  its  soundness  .and  sustained  vigor  is  to  be  its  peculiar  trust 
and  honor  in  the  time  that  is  to  come. — 1905,  p.  83. 


1092  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

CHAPTER   IX. 
III.   OF  COMPLAINTS. 

SECTION  83. 

1.  Amended  so  as  to  apply  to  administrative  cases. 

83.  A  complaint  is  a  written  representation  by  one  or  more  persons, 
subject  and  submitting  to  the  jurisdiction  of  an  inferior  judicatory,  to  the 
next  superior  judicatory  against  a  particular  delinquency,  action  or  decision 
of  such  inferior  judicatory  in  a  non-judicial  or  administrative  case. — 1902, 
p.  157. 

2.  Complaints  must  go  to  the  next  superior  judicatory. 

a.  Judicial  Case  No.  4,  being  a  paper  which  appears  to  be  of  the  nature 
of  a  complaint  of  the  Rev.  A.  R.  Day  against  the  Presbytery  of  Water- 
loo. The  Judicial  Committee  recommends  that  Mr.  Day  be  advised  to 
present  his  appeal  or  complaint  to  the  Synod  of  Iowa.  Adopted. — 1899, 
p.  45. 

b.  Judicial  Case  No.  6,  entitled  Complaint  of  the  Session  of  the  Church 
of  the  Covenant  vs.  the  Presbytery  of  Northumberland.  Your  Committee 
find  that  this  case  was  brought  directly  from  Presbytery  to  the  General 
Assembly,  passing  over  the  Synod,  which  is  contrary  to  Chapter  IX,  Book 
of  Discipline,  and  would  therefore  recommend  that  it  be  dismissed. — 1901, 
p.  45. 

c.  In  the  case  of  the  complaint  of  the  Rev.  Edward  T.  Fleming  against 
the  proceedings  of  the  Presbytery  of  Chicago,  the  complaint  is  not  enter- 
tained, since  "  a  complaint  is  a  written  representation  made  to  the  next 
superior  judicatorv"  (B.  D.,  83),  which  in  this  case  is  the  Synod  of 
Illinois.— 1902,  p.*  143. 

3.  Memorials  cannot  be  regarded  as  complaints. 

a.  Judicial  Case  No.  6,  being  two  complaints  of  certain  persons  claim- 
ing to  be  members  and  members-elect  of  the  Session  of  the  Church  of  the 
Covenant,  etc.,  against  the  Presbytery  of  Northumberland.  We  find  this 
paper  of  the  nature  of  a  memorial  concerning  matters  embraced  in  Case 
No.  5,  and  we  recommend  that  it  be  returned  to  the  memorialists. 
Adopted.— 1900,  p.  100. 

b.  Memorial  in  Williamsport  case. — 1902,  p.  75. 

c.  Whitbeck  Memorial.     Similar  action. — 1904,  p.  84. 

4.  Complaint  cannot  be  taken  against  discretion  of  a  judicatory. 

Judicial  Case  No.  6,  being  a  complaint  of  the  Rev.  James  H.  Baird, 
D.D.,  against  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  in  sustaining  the 
action  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  on  his  petition  regarding  the 
Mercer  Home. 

The  Judicial  Committee  recommend  that  the  complaint  be  dismissed 
for  the  reason  that  no  evidence  appears  that  the  Presbytery  of  Philadel- 
phia erred  in  declining  to  assume  jurisdiction  of  the  subject  matter  of  the 


BOOK    OF    DISCIPLINE,    SECT.    84.  1093 

complaint ;  nor  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  in  sustaining  that  action  of 
the  Presbytery.     Adopted. — 1899,  p.  73. 

5.  Complaints  dismissed  and  no  reasons  given. 

a.  William  N.  Richie  against  the  Synod  of  New  Jersey. — 1902,  p.  75. 

b.  T.  M.  Ross  and  others  against  the  Synod  of  Missouri,  in  the  case  of 
William  Semple.— 1903,  p.  110. 

c.  James  S.  Malone  against  the  Synod  of  Kentucky. — 1906,  p.  163. 

SECTION  84. 

1.  Notice  must  be  served. 

Case  No.  2,  being  a  complaint  of  the  Rev.  John  Fernie  against  an 
action  of  the  Synod  of  North  Dakota.  It  does  not  appear  that  the  notice 
of  the  complaint  has  been  served  on  the  Stated  Clerk  of  Synod  as  re- 
quired. We  therefore  recommend  the  dismissal  of  the  complaint. — 1906, 
p.  163. 

2.  Committee  on  Time  of  Notice  of  Complaint  and  Appeal  Appointed. 

Inasmuch  as  it  has  appeared,  in  much  of  the  business  which  has  been 
referred  to  the  Judicial  Committee,  that  the  question  often  arises  whether 
an  appellant  or  complainant  is  required  to  file  a  notice  of  intent  to  appeal 
or  complain,  with  the  judicatory  appealed  from  or  complained  against,  be- 
fore the  adjournment  of  said  judicatory,  in  order  that  the  judicatory  may 
appoint  suitable  persons  to  defend  its  action  before  the  superior  judicatory, 
the  Judicial  Committee  respectfully  recommend  the  reference  of  this 
question  to  a  Committee  composed  of  the  Moderator  and  the  Stated  and 
Permanent  Clerks  of  the  General  Assembly,  to  report  to  the  next  Assem- 
bly.—1899,  p.  128. 

3.  Report  of  Committee.     Notice  to  be  given  within  ten  days  after 
action.     Judicatories  to  provide  for  counsel. 

The  Special  Committee  on  Time  of  Notice  of  Appeal  in  Complaints 
and  Appeals  presented  its  Report,  which  was  accepted,  adopted,  and  is  as 
follows  : 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  1899  to  report 
to  this  Assembly  on  the  question,  "Whether  an  appellant  or  complainant 
is  required  to  file  a  notice  of  intent  to  appeal  or  complain  with  the  judica- 
tory appealed  from  or  complained  against  before  the  adjournment  of  said 
judicatory,  in  order  that  the  judicatory  may  appoint  suitable  persons  to 
defend  its  action  before  the  superior  judicatory,"  respectfully  report  as 
follows : 

The  Sections  of  the  Book  of  Discipline  which  bear  upon  this  subject 
are  Sections  Nos.  84  and  96,  and  read  as  follows : 

"Section  84.  Written  notice  of  Complaint,  with  the  reasons  therefor, 
shall  be  given,  within  ten  days,  after  the  action  was  taken,  to  the  Clerk  or, 
in  case  of  his  death,  absence,  or  disability,  to  the  Moderator  of  the  judica- 
tory complained  of,  who  shall  lodge  it,  with  the  records  and  all  the  papers 
pertaining  to  the  case,  with  the  Clerk  of  the  superior  judicatory,  before 
the  close  of  the  second  day  of  its  regular  meeting  next  ensuing  the  date 
of  the  reception  of  said  notice. 


1094  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

"  Section  96.  Written  notice  of  Appeal,  with  specifications  of  the 
errors  alleged,  shall  be  given,  ivithin  ten  days  after  the  judgment  has  been, 
rendered,  to  the  Clerk  or,  in  case  of  his  death,  absence,  or  disability,  to 
the  Moderator  of  the  judicatory  appealed  from,  who  shall  lodge  it,  with 
the  records  and  all  the  papers  pertaining  to  the  case,  with  the  Clerk  of  the 
superior  judicatory,  before  the  close  of  the  second  day  of  its  regular  meet- 
ing next  ensuing  the  date  of  his  reception  of  said  notice." 

In  view  of  the  specific  provisions  of  these  Sections,  the  Committee  re- 
port that  an  appellant  or  complainant  is  not  required  to  file  notice  of  intent 
to  appeal  or  complain  with  the  judicatory  appealed  from  or  complained 
against  while  said  j  udicatory  is  in  session,  unless  it  continues  in  session  ten 
days  after  action  was  taken,  but  that  he  has  ten  full  days  after  actiou 
taken  within  which  to  enter  an  appeal  or  complaint.  The  provisions  of 
the  Book  of  Discipline  are  intended  to  conserve  the  rights  of  parties  to 
judicial  cases  before  our  judicatories,  and  also  to  insure  to  members  of  the 
same  the  power  to  secure  the  reversal  of  unconstitutional  procedure,  by 
giving  full  opportunity  for  both  thought  and  action.  In  addition,  the 
ten  days'  limit  gives  not  only  reasonable  time  for  thought  to  those  who- 
regard  themselves  as  aggrieved  by  the  decision  of  a  judicatory,  but  also 
frequently  leads  them  to  the  conclusion  that  an  appeal  or  complaint  in 
their  cases  would  be  unwise.  It  is  admitted  that  judicatories  at  times  are 
hampered  by  the  fact  that  they  adjourn  prior  to  the  expiration  of  the  time 
allowed  a  complainant  or  appellant  to  enter  a  notice  of  intention  to  appeal 
or  complain.  It  is  suggested,  however,  that  each  Presbytery  and  Synod 
of  the  Church  make  provision  for  this  probable  condition  of  affairs  by  the 
adoption  of  a  rule  conferring  upon  the  officers  of  the  judicatory,  or  other 
persons  being  members  of  the  judicatory,  the  right  to  appoint  persons  to 
defend  their  judgments  and  decisions  before  the  superior  judicatories,  in 
the  event  of  the  filing  with  the  Stated  Clerks  or  Moderators,  by  proper 
parties,  of  notices  of  appeal  or  complaint.      The  resolution  might  read  as 

follows:  " The  Presbytery  (or  Synod )  of hereby  authorizes 

the  Moderator  and  the  Stated  Clerk  to  appoint  suitable  persons  to  defend 
before  the  superior  judicatory  its  judgments  and  decisions,  whenever  the 
same  are  appealed  or  complained  against  after  the  adjournment  of  the 
[Synod  or]  Presbytery.— 1900,  pp.  22-24. 

SECTION  85. 
1.  Amended  so  as  to  apply  only  to  administrative  cases. 

Amended  so  as  to  read : 

85.  Whenever  a  complaint  is  entered  in  a  non-judicial  or  administra- 
tive case  against  a  decision  of  a  judicatory  by  at  least  one-third  of  the 
members  recorded  as  present  when  the  decision  was  made,  the  execution 
of  the  decision  shall  be  stayed  until  the  final  issue  of  the  case  by  the  next 
superior  judicatory. — 1902,  p.  157. 

SECTION  87. 

1.  Amended  so  as  to  apply  only  to  administrative  cases. 

2.  (d)  Amended  by  omitting  the  last  clause  of  the  first  sentence  and 
the  whole  of  the  second,  so  that  it  shall  read  : 

87.  If  the  higher  judicatory  finds  that  the  complaint  is  in  order,  and 


BOOK    OF    DISCIPLINE,    SECT.    91.  1095 

that  sufficient  reasons  for  proceeding  to  its  determination  have  been 
assigned,  the  next  step  shall  be  to  read  the  record  of  the  action  complained 
of,  and  so  much  of  the  record  of  the  lower  j  udicatory  as  may  be  pertinent ; 
then  the  parties  shall  be  heard,  and  after  that  the  judicatory  shall  pro- 
ceed to  consider  and  determine  the  case. — 1902,  p.  157. 

2.  A  complaint  in  a  non-judicial  case  may  be  referred  to  a  Committee. 

a.  At  the  request  of  the  Committee  on  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod  of 
New  Jersey,  the  complaint  of  Edward  B.  Hodge  and  others  against  said 
Synod  was  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  on  Church  Polity. — 1901, 
p.  97. 

b.  The  complaint  of  E.  B.  Hodge  and  others  against  the  Synod  of  New 
Jersey  was  again  referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  Records  of  the  Synod 
of  New  Jersey,  with  instructions  to  take  up  the  case  and  report  their  find- 
ings to  the  Assembly.  The  Moderator  was  empowered  to  appoint  ad- 
ditional members  upon  said  Committee,  and  named  the  following  persons. 
—1901,  p.  100. 

[Note. — See  for  action  taken,  under  Section  74,  p.  1091.] 

c.  Complaint  of  J.  M.  Ross  and  others  against  the  Synod  of  Missouri, 
referred  to  Committee  on  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod  of  Missouri. — 1902, 
p.  75. 

SECTION  88. 
1.  Amended  so  as  to  apply  only  to  administrative  eases. 

Amended  so  as  to  read  : 

88.  The  effect  of  a  complaint,  in  a  non-judicial  or  administrative  case, 
if  sustained,  may  be  the  reversal,  in  whole  or  in  part,  of  the  action  or 
decision  complained  of.  When  a  complaint  is  sustained,  the  lower  judica- 
tory shall  be  directed  how  to  dispose  of  the  matter. — 1902,  p.  157. 

SECTION  89. 
1.  Amended  by  striking  out  the  words  "  in  cases  non-judicial." 

2.  (f)  Amended  by  striking  out  the  words  "in  cases  non-judicial,"  so 
that  the  Section  will  read : 

89.  The  parties  to  a  complaint  shall  be  known  respectively  as  Com- 
plainant and  Respondent — the  latter  being  the  judicatory  complained  of, 
which  should  always  be  represented  by  one  or  more  of  its  number  ap- 
pointed for  that  purpose,  who  may  be  assisted  by  counsel. — 1902,  p.  158. 

SECTION  91. 
1.  Amended  by  substituting  complaint  for  appeal. 

2.   (g)  Amended  so  that  it  shall  read  : 

91.  Either  of  the  parties  to  a  complaint  may  complain  to  the  next 
superior  judicatory,  except->as  limited  by  Chapter  XI,  Section  4,  of  the 
Form  of  Government— 1902,  p.  158. 


1096  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

SECTION  93. 
1.  This  section  stricken  out  as  unnecessary. 

93.  If  a  case  should  be  carried  to  an  appellate  judicatory  by  both  appeal 

and  complaint,  the  same  shall  be  consolidated  for  trial,  if  deemed  proper  by 

the  appellate  judicatory.     If  the  appeal  be  abandoned,  the  case  shall  be 

heard  only  on  the  complaint. — 1902,  p.  158. 

[Note. — In  editions  of  the  Constitution  from  1903  forward  the  words  appear, 
"This  Section  eliminated  in  1902."] 


CHAPTER    IX. 
IV.     OF  APPEALS. 


SECTION  94. 
1.  Amended  as  to  method  of  hearing  judicatory  appealed  from. 

Amended  so  that  it  shall  read  : 

94.  An  appeal  is  the  removal  of  a  judicial  case,  by  a  written  repre- 
sentation, from  an  inferior  to  a  superior  judicatory,  and  may  be  taken  by 
either  of  the  original  parties  from  the  final  judgment  of  the  lower  judi- 
catory. These  parties  shall  be  called  Appellant  and  Appellee.  Final 
judgments  in  judicial  cases  shall  be  subject  to  reversal  and  modification 
only  by  appeal,  and  no  judicatory  from  whose  final  judgment  an  appeal 
shall  have  been  taken  shall  be  heard  in  the  appellate  judicatory,  further 
than  by  the  reading  of  the  dissents,  protests,  and  written  opinions  of  its 
members  assenting  to  or  dissenting  from  its  judgments. — 1902,  p.  158. 

2.  Appeal  withdrawn  for  the  peace  of  the  Church. 

a.  Judicial  Case  No.  8,  being  the  appeal  of  George  W.  F.  Birch,  D.D., 
vs.  final  judgment  of  the  Presb)Ttery  of  New  York.  Your  Committee 
finds  said  appeal  regular,  but  inasmuch  as  the  case  raises  difficult  tech- 
nical questions  as  to  procedure  (because,  through  the  course  that  has 
been  taken,  the  situation  created  is  unique,  and  should  not  become  a  prec- 
edent), and  also  inasmuch  as  Rev.  Dr.  McGiffert  has  withdrawn  from 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  without  entering  upon  the  constitutional  questions  in- 
volved, and  without  any  prejudice  whatever  to  the  appellant  while  enter- 
taining the  appeal  as  regular,  this  General  Assembly  deems  it  best,  con- 
sidering the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the  Church,  that  the  appellant  be 
given  leave  to  withdraw  his  appeal. — 1900,  p.  82. 

b.  That  the  desire  of  Rev.  Dr.  George  W.  F.  Birch,  appellant,  be 
granted,  and  the  case  be  and  hereby  is  closed. — 1900,  p.  85. 

3.  Final  judgments  subject  to  reversal  only  by  appeal. 
[See  this  Supplement,  Section  74,  p.  1091.] 


BOOK    OF    DISCIPLINE,    SECT.    95.  1097 

4.  Memorials  not  proper  in  a  judicial  case. 

The  Judicial  Committee  respectfully  reports  with  reference  to  the  Me- 
morial of  the  Session  of  the  Fifth  Avenue  Church  of  New  York  City, 
expressing  the  desire  that  the  General  Assembly  remand  the  case  of  Her- 
mann Warszawiak  to  the  Session  of  that  church  for  a  new  trial,  and  the 
protest  of  four  members  of  the  Session,  the  Judicial  Committee  would 
respectfully  report  as  follows  : 

Whereas,  The  Judicial  Commission  upon  this  case  has  already  found 
that  "  this  memorial  is  not  within  the  proper  functions  of  a  Judicial  Com- 
mission," and, 

Whereas,  The  General  Assembly  decided  in  1893  [see  Minutes,  1893,. 
p.  91]  that  an  inferior  judicatory  "has  not  the  right  by  overture  to  try 
to  influence  the  decision  of  the  Assembly  on  any  pending  judicial  case," 
therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  memorial  and  protest  be  returned  to  the  Session  of 
the  Fifth  Avenue  Church  of  New  York  City  with  a  copy  of  this  action 
of  the  Assembly.— 1899,  p.  128. 

5.  Complaint  in  a  judicial  case  sustained,  but  no  action  taken  because 
original  party  did  not  appeal. 

Judicial  Case  No.  8.  The  Judicial  Commission  appointed  by  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  to  whom  was  referred  the  complaint  of  the  Rev.  Charles 
A.  Taylor  against  the  Synod  of  Illinois  for  sustaining  certain  proceedings 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Bloomington  in  the  case  of  the  Rev.  W.  L.  Rabe, 
entertained  the  complaint,  heard  testimony  on  behalf  of  the  parties,  and 
took  action  as  follows  : 

The  complaint  of  the  Rev.  Charles  A.  Taylor  against  the  Synod  of 
Illinois  is  sustained,  and  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Illinois  in  approving 
the  record  of  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  of  Bloomington  in  passing  the 
sentence  of  excommunication  upon  the  Rev.  W.  L.  Rabe,  upon  the  plea 
of  "guilty,"  entered  by  the  counsel  appointed  by  the  Presbytery  to  rep- 
resent the  accused,  who  had  refused  to  appear  in  obedience  to  a  second 
citation,  and  had  been  suspended  for  contumacy,  is  disapproved,  for  the 
reason  that  the  trial  of  the  Rev.  W.  L.  Rabe  was  not  in  accordance  with 
the  provisions  of  the  Book  of  Discipline  ;  but  inasmuch  as  the  party 
himself  does  not  appeal  from  the  sentence,  nor  allege  any  wrong  done 
him  in  the  sentence  imposed,  no  action  is  necessary. — 1899,  p.  127. 

SECTION  95. 
1.  Amended  by  striking  out  the  words  "  or  complaint." 

Amended  by  striking  out  the  words  "or  complaint"  in  the  third  line 
of  said  Section,  so  that  it  shall  read : 

95.  The  grounds  of  appeal  may  be  such  as  these  :  Irregularity  in  the 
proceedings  of  the  inferior  judicatory  ;  refusal  to  entertain  an  appeal  ; 
refusal  of  reasonable  indulgence  to  a  party  on  trial ;  receiving  improper, 
or  declining  to  receive  important,  testimony  ;  hastening  to  a  decision  be- 
fore the  testimony  is  fully  taken  ;  manifestation  of  prejudice  in  the  con- 
duct of  the  case  ;  and  mistake  or  injustice  in  the  decision.— -1902,  p.  158. 


1098  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 


2.  Appeal  cannot  be  taken  against  discretion  of  a  judicatory. 

Judicial  Case  No.  2,  being  the  appeal  of  J.  C.  Bose  against  the  Synod 
of  India.  The  Judicial  Committee,  finding  that  the  papers  are  in  order, 
recommend  to  the  General  Assembly  to  dismiss  the  appeal  for  the  reason 
that  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  of  Lahore  in  the  case  was  one  to  be  de- 
termined in  the  exercise  of  its  discretion,  and  that  there  is  nothing  in  the 
papers  in  our  hands  to  show  any  abuse  of  discretion  on  the  part  of  the 
Presbytery,  or  anything  objectionable  in  its  manner.  Adopted. — 1899, 
p.  61. 

3.  Appeal  cannot  be  taken  against  obedience  to  the  instructions  of  an 

Assembly. 

a.  Judicial  Case  No.  3,  entitled  an  Appeal  of  C.  W.  Backus  from  a 
decision  of  the  Synod  of  Kansas.  Your  Committee  find  that  this  case 
was  before  the  last  General  Assembly,  and  was  sent  back  to  the  Synod 
with  certain  instructions  as  to  its  disposition.  We  find  from  the  records 
of  the  Synod  that  these  instructions  have  been  complied  with,  and  there- 
fore recommend  that  the  case  be  dismissed.     Adopted. — 1901,  p.  44. 

[See  also  under  Williamsport  Case,  B.  D.,  Sect.  99.] 

4.  Appeal  cannot  be  taken  in  case  adjudicated  by  the  Assembly. 

[See  Williamsport  Case,  Action  of  1903,  this  Supplement,  B.  D., 
Sect.  99,  p.  1105.] 

5.  Dismissed  because  no  question  of  doctrine  or  Constitution  involved. 

a.  Clinton  against  the  Synod  of  Ohio. — 1901,  p.  140. 

b.  Lee  against  the  Synod  of  Missouri. — 1898,  p.  48. 

c.  Patterson  against  the  Synod  of  New  York. — 1900,  p.  136. 

d.  Riedy  against  the  Synod  of  Texas.— 1903,  p.  133. 

e.  Schell  against  the  Synod  of  North  Dakota. — 1898,  p.  47. 

[Note. — See  also  this  Supplement,  p.  975.] 

6.  Dismissed  because  appeal  pending  before  Synod. 

Judicial  Case  No.  2,  being  the  appeal  of  Herman  Warszawiak  from  an 
action  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  York. 

It  appearing  that  the  complaint  and  appeal  in  this  case  have  been  made 
and  taken  to  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  are  now  pending  in  that 
judicatory,  which  proceedings  the  appellant  still  maintains,  and  no 
sufficient  reasons  being  now  given  why  the  appeal  should  not  take  the 
regular  course,  your  Committee  recommend  that  the  appeal  be  dis- 
missed.—1898,  p.  47. 

SECTION  96. 

1.  Appeal  dismissed  because  no  sufficient  evidence  that  specifications 

were  filed. 

a.  The  Judicial  Commission  appointed  to  try  Judicial  Case  No.  3,  after 
due  deliberation,  find  that  there  is  no  sufficient  evidence  to  establish  the 


BOOK    OF    DISCIPLINE,    SECT.    96.  1099 

fact  that  specifications  of  error,  required  by  the  rules,  were  given  to  the 
Clerk  of  the  Synod  of  Texas  ;  and  if  said  specifications  of  error  were  not 
given  to  said  Clerk,  neither  he  nor  said  Synod  was  advised  of  an  appeal 
pending  or  of  the  necessity  to  transmit  papers  concerning  said  appeal  to 
the  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  find  further  that  no  question  of 
doctrine  or  constitutional  law  is  properly  at  issue  in  said  matter  of  appeal, 
and  therefore  we  find,  adjudge,  and  determine  that  the  appeal  of  Owen 
Riedy,  appellant,  from  the  Synod  of  Texas,  be  dismissed,  without  preju- 
dice, however,  to  his  right  to  make  application  to  the  Presbytery  of  Austin 
for  a  removal  of  the  sentence  of  suspension  heretofore  imposed  by  said 
Presbytery.— 1903,  p.  133. 

b.  In  the  case  of  Riedy  against  the  Synod  of  Texas,  the  appellant  has 
failed  to  file  a  proper  appeal  and  specifications.  The  papers  are,  therefore, 
not  in  order,  and  we  recommend  the  dismissal  of  the  appeal. — 1905,  p.  86. 

Dissent  entered  from  judgment. 

The  following  dissent  from  the  finding  of  the  Commission  was  pre- 
sented, aud  ordered  to  be  entered  upon  the  Record  : 

We  respectfully  dissent  from  the  finding  and  judgment  of  the  above 
Commission  in  dismissing  the  appeal  of  Owen  Riedy  from  the  decision  of 
the  Synod  of  Texas,  and  for  the  following  reasons : 

1.  The  majority  of  the  Commission  in  its  finding  gives  as  a  reason  for 
the  dismissal  of  the  case  that  "there  is  no  sufficient  evidence  to  establish 
the  fact  that  specifications  of  error,  required  by  the  rules,  were  given  to 
the  Clerk  of  the  Synod  of  Texas  ;  and  if  said  specifications  of  error  were 
not  given  to  said  Clerk,  neither  he  nor  said  Synod  was  advised  of  an 
appeal  pending  or  of  the  necessity  to  transmit  papers  containing  said 
appeal  to  the  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly."  Now  the  Commission 
had  already  decided  that  the  appeal  was  in  order,  and  had  decided  to 
entertain  it,  and  so  the  finding  of  the  majority  of  the  Commission  is  in 
direct  conflict  with  the  decision  of  the  Commission  that  the  appeal  was  in 
order. 

2.  The  Commission  in  its  finding  gives  as  a  reason  for  dismissing  the 
appeal  that  "  no  question  of  doctrine  or  constitutional  law  is  properly  at 
issue  in  said  matter  of  appeal."  We  dissent  from  this  finding  on  the 
ground  that  questions  of  constitutional  law  are  involved  in  the  appeal,  as, 
for  example,  in  the  error  of  Synod  assigned,  such  as  an  unconstitutional 
constitution  of  the  court  of  trial. 

3.  The  paper  containing  the  petition  of  the  appellant  to  the  Presbytery 
for  removal  of  Presbytery's  suspension  of  him  from  the  ministry  is  not 
produced  by  the  lower  court,  and  in  the  absence  of  this  paper  it  is  im- 
possible for  the  Commission  to  know  by  its  own  consideration  whether 
that  paper  fulfilled  the  conditions  required  for  the  removal  of  the  sus- 
pension. 

4.  Since  the  papers  have  not  been  produced  by  the  lower  court,'  the 
provisions  of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  Chapter  LX,  Section  101,  should 
be  enforced,  namely,  that  when  the  lower  court  has  failed  to  send  up  the 
papers  "  it  shall  be  censured  ;  and  the  sentence  appealed  from  shall  be 
suspended  until  a  record  is  produced  on  which  the  issue  can  be  fairly 
tried."  Joseph  M.  Duff,  F.  *W.  Rutherford,  P.  W.  Bentley,  Edwin  S. 
Gray,  Wm.  Huntley  Lloyd,  E.  B.  Williams,  and  A.  F.  Alexander. — 
1903,  pp.  133,  134. 


1100  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

SECTION  99. 

1.  Amended  by  striking  out  provision  for  hearing  members  of  judicatory 

appealed  from. 

3.  Overture  on  Judicial  Commissions,  No.  3. — The  Overture  reads : 

3.  (a)  Amend  and  alter  Section  99  of  the  Book  of  Discipline  by  strik- 
ing out  Subsection  3,  which  reads  : 

[3.]  Opportunity  shall  be  given  to  the  members  of  the  judicatory  ap- 
pealed from  to  be  heard. — 1902,  p.  160. 

[Note. — See  new  provision  under  Section  94,  p.  1096.] 

SECTION  99  (4). 
[This  was,  prior  to  1902,  Section  99  (5).] 

I.    JUDGMENTS    APPEALED    FROM    AND    AFFIRMED. 

a.  Backus  Case.  Judgment,  Synod  of  Kansas.— 1899,  p.  94;  1901, 
p.  44. 

b.  Bose  against  the  Synod  of  India. — 1899,  p.  61. 

c.  Fleming  Case.  Judgment,  Synod  of  Illinois  and  Presbytery  of 
Chicago.— 1902,  p.  143. 

d.  Lane  against  the  Synod  of  New  York. — 1899,  p.  95. 

e.  Marlin  against  the  Synod  of  Indiana. — 1899,  p.  61. 

f.  Mason  against  the  Synod  of  New  Jersey. — 1900,  p.  120. 

g.  Richter  Case.     Judgment,  Synod  of  Minnesota. — 1903,  pp.  91,  92. 

II.    JUDGMENTS  REVERSED,  MODIFIED,  OR  REMANDED. 

a.    The  Bose  Case. 
1.  Synod  instructed  to  inquire  into  constitutionality  of  its  action. 

a.  Judicial  Case  No.  2.  It  is  recommended  that  the  petition  of  J.  C. 
Bose  be  referred  to  the  Synod  of  India  with  instructions  to  inquire  into 
the  constitutionality  of  its  action  in  1891  in  reimposing,  without  process, 
its  sentence  of  suspension  upon  the  petitioner,  five  years  after  its  action  re- 
storing him  to  the  ministry,  to  the  Record  of  which  action  exception  was 
taken  by  the  General  Assembly  of  1892  (to  which  action  of  the  General 
Assembly  the  attention  of  the  Synod  is  particularly  called),  and  that  the 
said  Synod  shall  take  such  action  in  this  case  as  the  rights  of  all  parties 
concerned  and  the  best  interests  of  the  Church  require. — 1900,  p.  140. 

2.  Judgment  Reversed  because  unconstitutional.     Obedience  to  orders 
of  Synod  by  Presbytery  made  the  case  res  adjudicate/,. 

b.  In  the  matter  of  the  Appeal  of  J.  C.  Bose  to  the  General  Assembly 
of  1901  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America 
from  the  action  and  final  judgment  of  the  Synod  of  India  pertaining  to 
his  case,  rendered  December  22,  1900,  the  Judicial  Commission  appointed 
by  the  aforesaid  Assembly  to  hear  and  try  said  Appeal  respectfully  report 
the  following  Findings  of  Facts  and  Conclusions  of  Law  : 

Findings  of  Facts. — 1.  That  it  appears  from  the  Minutes  of  the 
aforesaid  Assembly  for  the  year  1887,  and  on  p.  129  thereof  (to  which 
reference  is  made  in  the  aforesaid  Appeal),  that  the  Rev.  J.  C.  Bose,  of 


BOOK    OF    DISCIPLINE,    SECT.    99.  1101 

the  Presbytery  of  Lahore,  the  aforesaid  appellant,  was  tried  in  1886  on 
the  charge  of  lying  and  deceit  by  his  Presbytery,  and  found  guilty  under 
each  of  two  specifications,  and  was  thereupon  suspended  from  the  ministry  ; 
that  he  appealed  from  the  judgment  of  the  Presbytery  ;  that  the  Synod, 
on  review  of  the  case,  sustained  the  finding  of  the  Presbytery  under  one 
specification  only,  and  required  the  Presbytery  to  administer  to  Mr.  Bose 
a  severe  censure  and  restore  him  to  the  ministry.  Against  this  decision 
of  the  Synod  a  protest  was  made  and  entered  upon  the  Minutes,  on  the 
grounds : 

(1)  That  though  one  of  the  specifications  had  not  been  established,  the 
crime  remained  the  same  under  the  other  specification  which  the  Synod 
sustained. 

(2)  That  the  restoration,  enjoined  upon  the  Presbytery,  of  Mr.  Bose 
to  the  ministry,  without  any  acknowledgment  of  guilt  or  evidence  of 
repentance,  was  contrary  to  the  express  requirement  of  the  Book  of 
Discipline. 

2.  That  the  judgment  of  the  Synod  was  executed  by  the  Presbytery 
of  Lahore,  and  Mr.  Bose  was  restored  to  the  ministry  by  said  Presbytery 
at  the  order  of  the  Synod  of  India  of  1886,  and  obtained  a  certificate 
from  said  Presbytery  of  being  in  good  and  regular  standing. 

3.  That  the  Committee  appointed  by  the  aforesaid  Assembly  of  the 
year  1887  to  examine  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod  of  India  reported  that 
"  we  therefore  recommend  that  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod  of  India  be  ap- 
proved with  the  following  exception  :  The  requiring  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Lahore  to  restore  Mr.  Bose  to  the  ministry,  without  acknowledgment  of 
guilt  or  evidence  of  repentance,  was  a  virtual  reversal  of  the  judgment 
and  sentence  of  the  Presbytery,  founded,  so  far  as  the  records  show,  on 
the  erroneous  interpretation  of  Section  58  of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  that 
where  one  only  of  two  specifications  of  a  charge  is  proved,  the  charge 
itself  is  not  proved." 

4.  That  the  aforesaid  judgment  of  the  Synod  of  India  was  never 
brought  up  either  by  Appeal  or  Complaint, 

5.  That  the  Synod  of  India,  without  process,  reimposed  the  sentence  of 
suspension  upon  the  aforesaid  appellant,  J.  C.  Bose,  in  1891,  five  years 
after  its  action  ordering  the  Presbytery  of  Lahore  to  restore  him  to  the 
ministry. 

Conclusions  of  Law. — As  Conclusions  of  Law  the  Commission 
finds  : 

1.  That  the  decision  of  the  Synod  of  India  in  1886  of  the  Appeal 
of  J.  C.  Bose  from  the  Presbytery  of  Lahore  was  a  Judicial  Decision, 
and  could  only  be  reversed  by  being  taken  up  by  Appeal  or  Complaint 
(see  Book  of  Discipline,  Sec.  74). 

2.  That  when  the  Presbytery  of  Lahore,  at  its  session  in  1886,  in 
obedience  to  the  judgment  of  the  Synod  of  India,  restored  J.  C.  Bose  to 
the  ministry  and  gave  him  a  certificate  of  good  and  regular  standing,  the 
controversy  became  thereupon  res  adjudicata,  and  beyond  the  further 
control  of  either  the  Presbytery  or  Synod. 

3.  That  all  actions  taken  by  the  Synod  of  India  since  the  year  1886, 
in  reference  to  the  original  charge  of  lying  and  deceit  preferred  against 
J.  C.  Bose,  are  null  and  void. 

4.  That  this  Commission  sustains  the  following  part  of  Specification  of 
Error  No.  3,  to  wit :  "  Although  the  General  Assembly  of  1887  corrected 
the  wrong  interpretation  of  Section  58  of  the  Book  of  Discipline  which 


1102  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

the  said  Synod  put  upon  it :  But  the  General  Assembly  of  1887  did  not 
direct  the  Synod  to  reconsider  nor  to  reverse  their  decision  of  1886,  which 
would  have  been  contrary  to  our  Constitution,"  and  does  not  sustain  any 
other  part  of  said  specification. 

5.  That  this  Commission  does  not  sustain  specifications  of  error  num- 
bered 1,  2,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8. 

Therefore,  It  is  hereby  adjudged  that  all  proceedings  and  judgments 
had,  taken,  made,  and  entered  subsequent  to  1886  by  the  Synod  of  India 
in  relation  to  the  original  charge  of  lying  and  deceit  preferred  against 
J.  C.  Bose  in  1886,  and  adjudicated  by  said  Synod  during  said  year,  are 
unconstitutional  and  void,  and  therefore  reversed. — 1901,  pp.  100-102. 

Protest  in  the  Bose  Case. 

c.  A  protest  against  the  decision  in  Judicial  Case  No.  4  was  presented, 
ordered  to  be  put  on  record,  and  is  as  follows  : 

We,  the  undersigned,  members  of  the  Synod  of  India,  and  of  the  one 
hundred  and  thirteenth  General  Assembly,  beg  to  submit  our  respectful 
protest  against  the  decision  of  Judicial  Commission  No.  4  in  the  case  of 
J.  C.  Bose  vs.  the  Synod  of  India.     We  protest  on  the  following  ground  : 

1.  The  Commission,  in  its  desire  to  follow  the  letter  of  the  law,  has 
rendered  a  decision  that  reinstates  in  the  Gospel  ministry  a  man  whose 
guilt  is  admitted  by  all  the  parties  involved,  and  even  by  the  man  him- 
self. 

2.  The  Commission  has  refused  to  give  consideration  to  the  action  of  the 
last  General  Assembly,  which  concludes  its  instructions  to  the  Synod  in  the 
following  words :  "  And  that  said  Synod  shall  take  such  action  in  this 
case  as  the  rights  of  all  parties  concerned  and  the  best  interests  of  the 
Church  require."  We  submit  that  these  instructions  made  it  the  duty  of 
the  Commission,  not  so  much  to  look  into  the  technical  legal  aspects  of 
the  case,  as  to  consider  whether  or  not  Synod  had  acted,  as  we  believe  it 
has,  in  accordance  with  these  instructions.  C.  A.  R.  Janvier,  F.  J. 
Newton,  and  J.  M.  Forman. — 1901,  p.  170. 

b.    The  Marsh  Case. 

1.  Case   remanded   to  Synod  with   orders   to   affirm  the  judgment  of 

Presbytery. 

The  Judicial  Commission  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  the  U.  S.  A.  to  try  Judicial  Case  No.  2  reports 
for  record  its  final  judgment  as  follows  : 

Rev.  George  H.  Marsh,  appellant,  vs.  the  Synod  of  South  Dakota,  ap- 
pellee— No.  2. 

This  appeal  being  regularly  issued  and  coming  on  to  be  heard  on 
the  judgment,  the  notice  of  appeal,  and  the  specifications  of  errors 
alleged,  and  the  record  in  the  case  from  the  beginning,  and  the  reading 
of  so  much  of  said  record  as  was  not  read  having  been  omitted  by  con- 
sent, and  the  parties  thereto  having  been  heard  before  the  judicatory  in 
argument,  and  opportunity  having  been  given  to  the  members  of  the 
judicatory  appealed  from  to  be  heard,  they  having  been  heard,  and 
opportunity  having  been  given  to  the  members  of  this  judicatory  to 
be  heard,  and  they  having  been  heard,  as  provided  by  the  Book 
of   Discipline,   and   this    Judicial    Commission    of   the   General  Assem- 


BOOK    OF    DISCIPLINE,    SECT.    99.  1103 

bly  sitting  as  a  judicatory  in  such  case  on  appeal  having  sustained 
the  following  specifications  of  error,  to  wit,  all  of  said  specifications 
save  and  except  the  ninth  specification  of  the  grounds  of  appeal,  to 
wit,  that  the  Commission  of  the  Synod  did  not  take  its  vote  without 
debate,  and  the  tenth  specification  of  the  grounds  of  appeal,  to  wit,  "  that 
said  Synod  did  err  in  '  hastening  to  a  decision,'  "  which  were  not  sustained, 
on  consideration  whereof  this  judicatory  finds  said  appeal  should  be  and 
is  hereby  sustained,  and  that  said  Synod  of  South  Dakota,  the  judicatory 
appealed  from,  erred  in  not  sustaining  on  the  law  and  the  evidence  the 
charges  and  the  judgment  in  this  case  in  the  Presbytery  of  Black  Hills, 
and  that  said  final  judgment  of  the  Synod  of  South  Dakota  is  erroneous, 
and  should  be  and  is  hereby  reversed,  and  said  Synod  is  directed  to  affirm 
the  judgment  of  the  Presbytery  of  Black  Hills,  and  this  case  is  remanded 
to  the  Synod  of  South  Dakota  to  carry  this  judgment  into  execution  ;  and 
it  is  further  ordered  that  the  Stated  Clerk  of  this  General  Assembly 
transmit  a  certified  copy  of  the  judgment  in  this  case  to  the  Stated  Clerk 
of  the  Synod  of  South  Dakota,  to  be  made  a  part  of  the  record  in  this 
case. — 1905,  p.  163. 

c.  The  McCullough   Case. 

1.    Case  referred  to  Synod  with  orders  to  try. 

Judicial  Case  No.  11,  being  an  appeal  of  N.  N.  McCullough,  from  the 
action  and  decision  of  the  Synod  of  Baltimore,  in  refusing  to  try  and  issue 
a  case  brought  before  the  Synod  upon  appeal  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Washington  City. 

The  Judicial  Committee  recommend  that  the  case  be  referred  to  the 
Synod  of  Baltimore,  with  directions  to  try  and  issue  the  case  according  to 
the  provisions  of  the  Book  of  Discipline. — 1899,  p.  45. 

d.  The    Warszaiviak   Case. 

1.  Judgment  Reversed  and  Case  remanded  because  the  Synod  had  no 
right  to  instruct  for  retrial.  Synod  could  not  act  while  appeal  was 
pending. 

a.  The  Judicial  Commission  on  Judicial  Case  No.  3  (the  Warszawiak 
case)  presented  its  Report,  which,  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of 
the  Constitution,  was  entered  on  the  Minutes,  and  is  as  follows : 

Judicial  Case  No.  1.     In  the  matter  of 

The  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  U.  S.  A.,  represented  by  S.  B. 
Brownell,  appellant  and  complainant,  Prosecuting  Committee  vs.  The 
Synod  of  New  York  : 

George  Nixon,  complainant,  vs.  The  Synod  of  New  York  : 

Hermann  Warszawiak,  complainant  and  appellant,  vs.  The  Presbytery 
of  New  York : 

The  Judicial  Commission  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  to  which 
was  referred  the  above-stated  Judicial  Cases,  all  of  which  relate  to  mat- 
ters growing  out  of  the  trial  of  Hermann  Warszawiak  by  the  Session  of 
the  Fifth  Avenue  Church,  of  New  York  City,  and  which  cases  were,  by 
the  action  of  the  Judicial  Committee  of  this  General  Assembly  and  of 
the  General  Assembly,  consolidated  and  referred  to  this  Commission, 
found  the  appeals  and  complaints  in  order,  heard  the  parties  upon  the 
question  of  the  jurisdiction  of  this  body  in  the  matter  of  the  appeal  and 


1104  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

complaints  against  the  Synod  of  New  York,  and  decided  as  follows, 
viz.  : 

First,  that,  in  the  cases  of  the  said  appeal  and  complaints  against  the 
Synod  of  New  York,  the  judgment  of  the  said  Synod  reversing  the 
judgment  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  York  be  reversed,  in  so  far  only  as 
the  said  Synod  instructed  the  Presbytery  of  New  York  to  remand  the  case 
under  consideration  to  the  Session  of  the  said  Fifth  Avenue  Church,  with 
instruction  to  retry  Hermann  Warszawiak  upon  amended  charges,  includ- 
ing the  misuse  of  moneys  contributed  for  missionary  purposes.  The 
ground  of  this  judgment  of  the  Commission  is  that  the  Synod  had  no 
constitutional  right  to  instruct  the  Presbytery  to  instruct  the  Session  to 
retry  Mr.  Warszawiak  upon  charges  relative  to  his  moral  character  which 
were  not  involved  in  the  charge  which  was  originally  made  against  him 
in  the  Session  and  upon  which  he  was  tried.  Otherwise,  the  Commission 
reports  that  the  judgment  of  the  Synod  shall  stand  in  the  cases  of  the 
said  appeal  and  complaints  and  the  record  be  remanded  to  the  Synod  for 
the  purpose  of  the  case  being  proceeded  with  according  to  the  methods  and 
requirements  of  the  Constitution. 

Second,  that  the  appeal  and  complaints  of  Hermann  Warszawiak 
against  the  Presbytery  of  New  York  be  dismissed,  and  the  judgment  of 
the  Preshytery  complained  of  and  appealed  from  be  sustained,  on  the 
ground  that  the  Presbytery  properly  declined  to  carry  out  the  instruction 
contained  in  the  judgment  of  Synod  to  retry  Mr.  Warszawiak  while  the 
appeal  from  the  said  judgment  of  the  Synod  to  the  General  Assembly  was 
pending.— 1899,  p.  111. 

2.  One  Assembly  has  no  right  to  interpret  judgment  of  another  Assem- 
bly.   Case  terminated  without  further  trial. 

b.  Judicial  Case  No.  4,  being  the  request  of  the  Synod  of  New  York 
for  instructions  in  the  Warszawiak  case. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  this  Assembly  has  no  authority  to  interpret 
the  meaning  of  an  action  of  a  former  Assembly  in  this  case,  and  recog- 
nizing the  difficulty  of  interpreting  such  action  if  it  were  competent  for 
us  to  do  so,  and  in  view  of  the  further  fact  that  this  case,  if  remanded 
again  to  the  Synod  of  New  York  for  further  proceedings,  will  require  a 
great  consumption  of  time  and  subject  the  judicatory  that  might  adjudicate 
on  the  case  to  great  inconvenience,  and  instead  of  resulting  in  practical 
good,  might  produce  great  excitement  and  consequences  injurious  to  the 
peace  and  edification  of  an  important  section  of  the  Church,  this  case 
having  been  pending  for  more  than  three  years,  and  after  a  patient  hear- 
ing by  the  Committee  of  all  the  parties  interested  in  the  methods  of  pro- 
cedure, namely,  the  representative  of  the  Synod  of  New  York,  the  Pros- 
ecutor, representing  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  the  counsel  for  the  accused,  and  the  representative  of  the  Ses- 
sion of  the  Fifth  Avenue  Church  in  the  City  of  New  York,  your  Com- 
mittee, acting  in  accordance  with  precedent,  recommend  to  the  Assembly 
the  adoption  of  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  representation  of  the  case  given  in  the 
above  statement  by  the  Judicial  Committee,  of  the  voluminous  nature  of 
the  testimony  and  of  the  difficulties  attending  the  case,  and  believing  that 
the  interests  of  the  Church  will  be  best  promoted  by  adopting  the  course 
recommended  by  the  Committee,  and  being  willing  to  assume  the  respon- 


BOOK    OF    DISCIPLINE,    SECT.    99.  1105 

sibility  of  acting  accordingly,  this  General  Assembly,  without  expressing 
any  opinion  on  the  merits  of  the  case,  does  hereby  terminate  this  unhappy 
case  and  all  proceedings  growing  out  of  it  without  further  judicial  trial. 
—1900,  p.  121. 

[Note. — See  for  Memorial  of  Session,  this  Supplement,  p.  1097.] 

e.    The  Williamsport  Case. 

1.  Case  remanded  with,  instructions  to  Synod  to  remit  to  Presbytery  for 
reconsideration  and  action. 

The  Judicial  Commission  on  Judicial  Case  No.  5  reported  its  finding, 
which  was  ordered  to  be  recorded,  and  is  as  follows : 

Judicial  Case  No.  5.  The  Judicial  Commission  appointed  by  the 
General  Assembly  to  whom  was  referred  the  case  of  the  appeal  of  the 
Session  of  the  Church  of  the  Covenant  of  Williamsport,  Pa.,  Presbytery 
of  Northumberland,  from  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  for 
sustaining  certain  proceedings  in  connection  with  the  resignation  of  the 
Rev.  James  Carter,  pastor  of  said  church,  beg  leave  to  give  the  following 
Report : 

The  case,  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  Book  of  Discipline, 
was  entertained,  both  parties  were  heard,  and  judgment  was  rendered  as 
follows : 

The  appeal  from  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  by  the  Ses- 
sion of  the  Church  of  the  Covenant,  Presbytery  of  Northumberland,  is 
sustained. 

The  case  is  remanded  to  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Synod  is 
directed  to  send  the  case  back  to  the  Presbytery  of  Northumberland  for 
reconsideration  and  action. — 1900,  p.  154. 

2.  Without  sustaining  appeal,  case  remanded  to  Synod  with  instruc- 
tions to  Presbytery  to  modify  its  Plan  of  Settlement. 

[See  for  text  of  Report  of  Judicial  Commission  of  1902,  under  Form 
of  Government,  Chapter  XIII,  this  Supplement,  p.  1067.] 

3.  Appeal  cannot  be  taken  against  obedience  to  instructions  of  the  As- 

sembly. 

The  Judicial  Commission  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  to  whom 
was  referred  the  appeal  of  John  E.  Dayton  and  others  from  the  action 
and  judgment  of  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  beg  leave  to  report : 

The  General  Assembly  of  1900  gave  decision  in  this  case,  which  de- 
cision is  now  in  process  of  being  carried  out  in  the  lower  courts,  to  which 
it  was  remanded  for  reconsideration  and  action.  We  therefore  do  not 
sustain  the  appeal. — 1901,  p.  148. 

4.  Appeal  dismissed  and  appellants  advised  to  organize  a  separate  church. 

In  the  matter  of  the  appeal  of  John  E.  Dayton  and  eight  others,  rep- 
resenting themselves  to  be  the  Session  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  the 
Covenant  of  Williamsport,  Pa.,  against  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Penn- 
sylvania, October  17,  1902  ;  we  recommend  that  the  appeal  be  dismissed, 
for  the  reason  that  the  questions  presented  have  been  heretofore  adjudi- 
cated in  the  General  Assembly,  on  appeal  by  the  same  parties. 


1106  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

Believing  that  the  differences  and  difficulties  of  this  church,  which 
have  existed  for  years,  and  have  been  many  times  in  the  various  judica- 
tories of  the  Church,  are  impossible  of  harmonization  and  adjustment  by 
judicial  process  ;  we  recommend  that  the  appellants  and  those  sympathetic 
with  them  in  the  troubles  of  this  church  apply  to  the  Presbytery  of 
Northumberland  for  organization  as  a  separate  church  under  a  new  name. 
—1903,  p.  100. 

/.    Other  cases  referred,  remanded,  etc. 

Backus  against  the  Synod  of  Kansas. — 1898,  p.  94;  1900,  p.  120. 
McCullough  against  the  Synod  of  Baltimore. — 1898,  p.  94. 
Pumphrey  against  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania.    Reversed. — 1898,  p.  133. 
Bercovitz  against  the  Synod  of  New  Mexico. — 1899,  p.  127. 
Pvingland  against  the  Synod  of  Ohio. — 1898,  p.  95. 

SECTION  101. 

1.  Records  must  be  sent  up. 

a.  Judicial  Case  No.  1.  In  the  matter  of  the  Appeal  of  Owen  Riedy 
from  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Texas,  the  Judicial  Committee  begs 
leave  to  report  as  follows :  That  the  appellant  appears  in  person,  and  pre- 
sents documents  showing  that  proper  notice  of  such  appeal  was  duly  given 
to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  said  Synod.  We  find  the  appeal  is  in  form,  and 
accompanied  by  specifications  of  error.  We  also  find  that  the  Clerk  of 
said  Synod  has  failed  to  send  up  the  records  of  the  case,  though  the 
Records  of  the  Synod  are  in  the  possession  of  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the 
Assembly.  We  recommend  that  a  Judicial  Commission  be  appointed  to 
try  the  case  on  its  merits. — 1903,  p.  71. 

b.  Backus  against  the  Synod  of  Kansas. — 1898,  p.  94. 

c.  McCullough  against  the  Synod  of  Baltimore. — 1898,  p.  94. 


CHAPTER  X. 
OF  DISSENTS  AND  PROTESTS. 

SECTION  105. 
1.  Protest  against  "  separate  "  Presbyteries. 

Elder  Rufus  S.  Simmons,  on  behalf  of  himself  and  five  others,  pre- 
sented the  following  protest : 

The  undersigned,  ministers  and  ruling  elders,  hereby  record  our  de- 
liberate and  solemn  protest  against  the  action  taken  by  the  General  As- 
sembly in  adopting  the  recommendation  in  the  Report  of  the  Special 
Committee  on  the  Territorial  Limits  of  Presbyteries  relating  to  the 
amendment  of  Chapter  X,  Section  2,  of  the  Book  of  Government,  pro- 
viding for  the  organization  of  separate  Presbyteries  for  persons  speaking 
other  than  the  English  language  or  those  of  a  particular  race  ;  for  the 
following  among  other  reasons :  because  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  our 
Church,  to  the  Word  of  God,  and,  as  we  believe,  will  be  grievous  to  the 
great  Head  of  the  Church.— 1904,  p.  158. 


BOOK    OF    DISCIPLINE,    SECT.    105.  1107 

2.  Protest  against  Union  with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

Kev.  John  Fox,  D.D.,  on  behalf  of  himself  and  six  others,  presented 
the  following  protest : 

We,  the  undersigned,  ministers  and  ruling  elders,  hereby  respectfully 
record  our  deliberate  and  solemn  protest  against  the  action  taken  by  the 
General  Assembly  in  adopting  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Union 
and  Reunion,  so  far  as  it  relates  to  union  with  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church  ;  for  the  following  reasons  inter  alia  : 

First,  and  chiefly,  because  the  Plan  of  Union  in  its  first  Concurrent 
Declaration  involves  an  interpretation  of  the  doctrinal  Standards  of  the 
Church.  We  feel  that  the  Constitutional  right  of  the  Assembly  to  make 
this  interpretation  is  open  to  grave  question. 

Apart  from  this  the  Declaration  affirms  an  agreement  existing  between 
the  systems  of  doctrine  contained  respectively  in  our  own  Confession  of 
Faith  and  that  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  sufficient  to 
warrant  union  between  the  two  Churches ;  whereas,  in  fact,  the  two  sys- 
tems of  doctrine  are  antagonistic  to  each  other,  especially  as  to  the  doc- 
trine of  the  divine  decrees.  A  union  founded  on  such  a  mistake  is  not 
likely  to  be  permanently  satisfactory. 

Second.  We  protest  because  grave  practical  difficulties,  affecting  the 
well-being  of  the  Church  and  the  orderly  administration  of  its  affairs  and 
menacing  many  sacred  and  precious  interests,  have  not  received  from 
either  the  Committee  or  the  Assembly  such  a  degree  of  careful  consider- 
ation as  is  demanded  by  their  exceeding  importance. — 1904,  p.  157. 

3.  Answer  to  the  Protest  on  Union. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  an  answer  to  the  protest  of  the 
Rev.  John  Fox,  D.D.,  and  others,  against  the  adoption  of  the  Plan  of 
Union,  presented  the  following,  which  was  adopted : 

Your  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  brief  answer  to  the  protest 
offered  by  certain  members  of  this  Assembly  against  its  action  in  adopting 
the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Union  and  Reunion,  in  so  far  as  it  relates 
to  union  with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  would  respectfully 
submit  the  following  answer  : 

1.  The  protest  is  made,  "first  and  chiefly,  because  the  Plan  of  Union 
in  its  first  Concurrent  Declaration  involves  an  interpretation  of  the  doc- 
trinal Standards  of  the  Church."  The  protestants  "  feel  that  the  Consti- 
tutional right  of  the  Assembly  to  make  this  interpretation  is  open  to  grave 
question."  Your  Committee  would  answer  that  this  protest  asserts  in 
effect  that  the  supreme  court  of  the  Church  is  not  competent  to  interpret 
its  doctrinal  Standards.  This  mere  statement  is  of  itself  sufficient  answer 
to  the  protestants.  It  is  not  only  the  right,  but  the  duty  of  the  General 
Assembly. 

2.  The  protestants  assert  that  "the  two  systems  of  doctrine"  contained 
respectively  in  the  Confessions  of  Faith  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  and  our  own  Church  are  antagonistic  to  each  other,  especially  in 
the  instance  of  the  "  doctrine  of  divine  decrees."  This  is  simply  a  differ- 
ence of  opinion.  The  deliberations  of  the  Assembly  involved  the  judg- 
ment of  the  Commissioners  as  to  this  very  matter.  The  overwhelming 
vote  of  the  Assembly  in  adopting  the  Report  of  the  Committee  indicated 
that  the  Assembly  as  a  body  does  not  agree  with  the  protestants. 

3.  The  protestants  assert  that  "grave  practical  difficulties  affecting  the 


1108  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

well  being  of  the  Church  and  the  orderly  administration  of  its  affairs  and 
menacing  many  sacred  and  precious  interests,  have  not  received  from 
either  the  Committee  or  the  Assembly  such  a  degree  of  careful  considera- 
tion as  is  demanded  by  their  exceeding  importance." 

For  answer  it  should  be  said  that  this  action  of  the  Assembly  is  to  give 
expression  to  the  general  attitude  of  our  Church  toward  the  proposal  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  to  effect  organic  union  of  the  two 
bodies.  Both  Churches  recognize  the  fact  that  numerous  details  involved 
in  the  consummation  of  this  union  must  have  careful  consideration  after 
the  Presbyteries  have  taken  action  upon  the  Overture  sent  down  by  both 
Assemblies.  To  withhold  our  expression  of  readiness  to  proceed  toward 
the  completion  of  the  negotiations  thus  hopefully  begun,  because  of  details 
whose  consideration  would  naturally  be  adjusted  by  subsequent  conference 
between  the  two  bodies,  would  be  to  betray  a  lack  of  mutual  trust  between 
brethren  which  we  do  not  entertain. 

Let  the  great  fundamental  fact  be  made  clear  that  both  bodies  desire  to 
advance  every  possible  step  toward  union,  as  it  has  now  been  announced 
to  the  world,  and  no  doubt  need  be  entertained  that  the  Spirit  of  God  will 
guide  the  task  of  harmonious  adjustment  of  all  necessary  details.  Let  us 
give  full  place  to  our  confident  faith  in  the  guidance  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ 
and  the  Christian  love  of  our  brethren  in  Him. 

J.  D.  Moffat,  R.  F.  Coyle,  and  Howard  Agnew  Johnson,  Committee. — 
1904,  p.  175. 

4.  Other  Dissents  and  Protests  entered. 

Bose  Case,  Rev.  C.  A.  R.  Janvier  and  two  others. — 1901,  p.  170.  See 
also  this  Supplement,  p.  1102. 

Clinton  Case,  E.  W.  C.  Humphrey  and  Rev.  D.  S.  Kennedy,  D.D. — 
1901,  p.  169.     See  also  this  Supplement,  p.  976. 

Riedy  Case,  Joseph  McDuff,  and  six  others. — 1903,  p.  133.  See  also 
this  Supplement,  p.  1099. 

SECTION  107. 
1.  Amendment  providing  for  protests  as  to  Judicial  Commissions. 

3.   (6)  Amended  so  as  to  read  : 

107.  No  one  shall  be  allowed  to  dissent  or  protest  who  has  not  a  right 
to  vote  on  the  question  decided  ;  and  in  judicial  cases  no  one  shall  be 
allowed  to  dissent  or  protest  who  did  not  vote  against  the  decision  ;  provided, 
that  when  a  judicial  case  has  been  decided  by  a  Judicial  Commission,  any 
member  of  the  judicatory  to  which  the  decision  is  reported,  either  under 
the  provisions  of  Section  120  or  of  Section  126  of  this  Book,  may  enter 
his  dissent  or  protest,  or  his  answer  to  any  protest,  in  the  same  manner  as 
if  the  case  had  been  tried  before  the  judicatory  itself,  and  he  had  voted 
thereon.— 1902,  p.  160. 


BOOK    OF    DISCIPLINE,    SECT.    114.  1109 

CHAPTER  XII. 
OF  REMOVALS  AND  LIMITATIONS  OF  TIME. 

SECTION  114. 
1.  Session  instructed  to  give  letter  of  dismission. 

a.  Judicial  Case  No.  5,  being  an  appeal  of  Miss  Maggie  Gowland 
from  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Illinois. 

The  Judicial  Committee  find  the  papers  submitted  incomplete  and 
failing  to  furnish  information  for  any  proper  trial  of  the  case.  They 
recommend  that  the  appeal  be  referred  to  the  Synod  of  Illinois,  to  take 
such  action  in  the  premises  as  the  interest  of  religion,  the  good  order  of 
the  Church,  and  the  securing  of  full  justice  to  the  appellant  may  seem  to 
them  to  demand. — 1899,  p.  45. 

b.  Judicial  Case  No.  10,  being  the  complaint  of  Miss  Maggie  Gowland 
vs.  the  Synod  of  Illinois.  The  Committee  recommend  that  the  Session  of 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Bloomington,  111.,  be  instructed  to  give 
Miss  Maggie  Gowland  a  letter  of  dismission  in  the  usual  form  to  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Church  in  Bloomington,  111. — 1900,  p.  120. 

2.  Letter  cannot  be  given  to  suspended  member  unless  repentant. 

Judicial  Case  No.  3.  The  Judicial  Commission  to  which  was  referred 
the  complaint  of  the  Rev.  Frank  Granstaff  and  the  Rev.  A.  W.  Ring- 
land,  and  the  appeal  of  the  Rev.  J.  C.  Holliday,  against  the  action  of 
the  Synod  of  Ohio,  in  reversing  the  decision  of  the  Presbytery  of  Zanes- 
ville  and  the  Session  of  the  First  Church  of  Zanesville,  in  refusing  to 
grant  a  letter  of  dismission  to  W.  J.  Massey,  a  member  under  suspension, 
respectfully  report  the  following,  viz.  :  The  complaint  and  appeal  are 
sustained,  and  the  action  of  the  Synod  is  reversed.  The  grounds  of  this 
decision  are,  first,  that  Synod  reversed  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  and 
of  the  Session,  without  assigning  any  specific  reasons  therefor ;  and, 
second,  that  it  ordered  a  letter  of  dismission  to  be  given  to  a  suspended 
member  when  there  was  no  satisfactory  evidence  of  his  repentance. — 1898, 
p.  195. 

3.  Form  authorized  for  letters  of  dismissal. 

That  the  Assembly  authorize  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assembly  to  pre- 
pare a  form  of  dismissal,  to  which  shall  be  attached  a  certificate  to  be 
returned  to  the  Session  issuing  the  letter  of  dismissal.  There  shall  also 
be  attached  to  this  return  certificate  a  form  of  notification  to  the  Session 
of  the  church  to  which  the  letter  of  dismissal  is  addressed. 

That  the  Board  of  Publication  be  requested  to  print  the  form  prepared 
bv  the  Stated  Clerk,  and  use  its  best  efforts  to  place  them  in  all  the 
churches.— 1900,  p.  83. 

4.  Removal  Notices  of  members  authorized. 

a.  Overtures  Nos.  33-35,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Brooklyn,  the  Pres- 
bytery of  New  York,  and  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester,  asking  that  pas- 
tors be  requested  to  report  the  names  of  church  members  removing  to  the 
cities  to  the  pastors  in  such  cities.  The  Committee  recommends  that  the 
overtures  be  approved. — 1904,  p.  177. 


1110  SUPPLEMENT   TO    DIGEST. 

b.  Overtures  Nos.  6-82,  asking  the  Stated  Clerk  to  prepare  and 
offer  to  the  Church  at  large  Removal  Notices,  substantially  similar  to  the 
form  appended,  to  be  sent  by  a  pastor  to  the  pastor  of  the  church  within 
whose  bounds  an  absent  member  locates.  The  Committee  respectfully 
recommends  that  the  Stated  Clerk  be  authorized  to  prepare  and  the  Board 
of  Publication  to  publish  such  Removal  Notices,  and  that  the  Assembly 
directs  pastors  and  Sessions  to  use  them. — 1906,  p.  192. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 
OF  JUDICIAL  COMMISSIONS. 

SECTION  118. 

1.  Judicial  Commission  must  be  organized  in  accordance  with  the  pro- 
visions of  the  Book  of  Discipline. 

Riedy  vs.  the  Synod  of  Texas. 

Judicial  Case  No.  7.  The  Judicial  Commission  appointed  by  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  to  whom  was  referred  the  appeal  of  the  Rev.  Owen  Riedy 
against  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Texas  in  sustaining  the  Presbytery  of 
Austin  in  suspending  him  from  the  ministry,  entertained  the  appeal,  heard 
representatives  of  the  parties,  and  took  action  as  follows  : 

The  Synod  of  Texas  erred  in  sustaining  the  finding  of  the  Judicial 
Commission  of  the  Presbytery  of  Austin,  it  being  admitted  by  all  parties 
that  such  Commission  was  not  constituted  by  the  Presbytery  in  accordance 
with  the  mandatory  provisions  of  the  Book  of  Discipline  ;  and  said  find- 
ing of  said  Judicial  Commission  is  hereby  reversed,  and  the  Presbytery 
of  Austin  is  directed  to  reissue  and  try  the  case  in  accordance  with  the 
provisions  of  the  Book  of  Discipline. — 1899,  p.  127. 
[Note. — See  also  under  Section  96,  p.  1098.] 

2.  Judicial  Committee  appointed  as  Judicial  Commission. 

a.  Taylor  vs.  Synod  of  Illinois. — 1899,  p.  74. 

b.  Riedy  vs.  Synod  of  Texas.— 1899,  p.  91. 

c.  Bercovitz  vs.  Synod  of  New  Mexico. — 1899,  p.  61. 

d.  Marsh  vs.  Synod  of  South  Dakota. — 1905,  p.  86. 

3.  Judicial  Commissions  appointed,  1898-1906. 
[See  this  Supplement,  p.  990.] 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP,    CHAP.    I.  HH 


PART  V. 

THE  DIEECTORY  FOR  WORSHIP. 


CHAPTER   I. 
ON  TEE  SANCTIFICATION  OF  THE  LORD'S  DAY. 

SECTION  I. 
1.  The  religious  rights  of  cadets  at  the  U.  S.  Naval  Academy  asserted. 

Overture  No.  6,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore,  concerning  the  re- 
ligious instruction  of  the  cadets  at  the  U.  S.  Naval  Academy.  The  fol- 
lowing answer  is  recommended : 

While  accepting  the  assurances  of  the  officers  of  the  Naval  Academy 
at  Annapolis,  that  religious  liberty  now  prevails  among  the  cadets,  under 
the  present  rules  of  the  Academy  ;  and  while  recognizing  the  comity 
which  ought  to  exist  between  the  administration  of  the  Academy  and  our 
Church,  the  Assembly  urges  upon  the  authorities  that  no  restriction, 
whether  formal  or  otherwise,  be  allowed  upon  the  right  of  the  cadets  to 
attend  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Annapolis,  under  the  conditions  at 
present  laid  down  in  the  rules  of  the  Academy.  The  Assembly  also 
recommends  to  those  parents  who  wish  their  boys  to  be  under  distinctively 
Presbyterian  training,  not  to  fail  to  assert  their  parental  influence  with 
their  sons,  and  their  undoubted  rights  with  the  authorities  to  this  end. 
Adopted.— 1899,  p.  52. 

SECTION  II. 

1.  The  Committee  on  Sabbath  Observance. 

[Note. — This  Committee  was  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  of 
1888,  in  response  to  a  communication  of  the  General  Conference  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  was  and  is  a  part  of  the  American  Sab- 
bath Union,  organized  at  Washington,  D.  C,  in  December,  1888.  The 
Committee  has  been  annually  appointed  from  1889  forward,  and  selected 
resolutions  from  its  Reports  to  the  Assembly  since  1898  are  given  below. 
Its  first  Chairman  was  Eliot  F.  Shepard,  Esq.] 

2.  Methods  for  Sabbath  Observance  commended. 

a.  That  the  Christian  Sabbath  will  be  saved  or  lost  to  the  Christian 
world  by  the  action  and  influence  of  the  members  of  the  Christian 
Church.  We  do,  therefore,  most  earnestly  enjoin  the  ministers,  elders,  and 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  to 
a  renewed  diligence  and  faithfulness,  by  both  precept  and  example,  for 


1112  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

the  preservation  of  the  sacred  character  of  the  Christian  Sabbath 
day:— 

By  an  active  use  of  the  day  in  Christian  work. 

By  abstaining  from  the  more  popular  and  therefore  more  dangerous 
forms  of  Sabbath  desecration,  such  as  the  purchase  and  reading  of  the 
Sunday  newspapers,  advertising  in  the  Sunday  newspapers,  and  from  all 
forms  of  excursions,  sports,  games,  and  amusements  on  the  Lord's  Day, 
and  also  all  unneccessary  secular  work  by  ourselves  and  our  employees ; 
all  unnecessary  traveling  and  visiting,  and  from  all  things  that  are  op- 
posed to  the  spirit  and  purpose  of  this  day  as  defined  in  the  Word  of  God. 
—1900,  p.  32. 

b.  That  the  General  Assembly  urges  on  all  families  not  to  buy  any- 
thing on  the  Sabbath,  and  during  the  week  to  give  the  preference  to  those 
shops  which  close  on  the  Lord's  Day  ;  to  plan  for  their  servants  on  the 
Sabbath  and  help  them  to  fulfill  their  religious  duties,  and  to  pay  laborers 
on  Friday  so  that  they  may  have  Saturday  to  make  provision  for  the 
Sabbath.— 1906,  p.  50. 

3.  Action  as  to  Sabbath-closing  of  Public  Expositions. 

a.  Resolved,  3.  That  we  most  earnestly  recommend  to  the  Directors  of 
the  Trans-Mississippi  Exposition,  to  be  opened  at  Omaha,  Neb.,  on  June 
1,  immediately  to  decide  that  its  doors  shall  not  be  opened  to  the  public 
on  the  Lord's  Day,  and  that  a  certified  copy  of  this  resolution,  properly 
authenticated  by  the  signature  of  the  Stated  Clerk,  shall  be  entrusted  to 
the  Sabbath  Observance  Committee  for  presentation  to  said  Directors. — 
1898,  p.  42. 

b.  Resolved,  7.  That  we  heartily  commend  President  McKinley  and  Sec- 
retary of  State  Hon.  John  Hay  for  the  instructions  sent  to  Commissioner- 
General  Ferdinand  W.  Peck  and  Ambassador  Gen.  Horace  Porter  to 
close  the  United  States  Pavilion  and  offices  at  the  Paris  Exposition  on  the 
Lord's  Day,  and  to  endeavor  to  secure  concerted  action  of  the  American 
exhibitors  to  the  same  end  ;  while  we  deprecate  the  action  of  the  French 
authorities  which  has  denied  to  the  American  section  of  the  American  ex- 
hibitors the  right  to  close  their  exhibits  on  the  Lord's  Day,  and  have  con- 
sented to  the  closing  of  the  United  States  Pavilion  only,  which  is  dis- 
tinctively the  property  of  the  United  States  Government. 

c.  Resolved,  8.  That  we  respectfully  request  the  United  States  Congress 
and  all  State  Legislatures  to  make  no  more  appropriations  for  expositions 
to  be  held  in  this  or  any  other  country  without  the  proviso  that  such  ex- 
positions shall  be  closed  on  the  Lord's  Day. — 1900,  p.  32. 

d.  Resolved,  11.  That  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  U.  S.  A.,  now  in  session  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  profoundly 
deprecates  the  fact  that  the  Directors  of  the  Pan-American  Exposition  at 
Buffalo  have  seen  fit  to  open  the  gates  of  said  Exposition  to  visitors  from 
1  to  11  o'clock  p.  M.  each  Lord's  Day,  and  does  hereby  express  its  solemn 
and  earnest  protest  against  said  action  as  opposed  to  the  best  traditions 
and  interests  of  American  institutions  and  civilization  ;  and  that  we,  the 
members  of  this  Assembly,  do  most  earnestly  urge  upon  this  Board  of 
Directors  that  they  reconsider  their  action  that  thus  opened  these  gates  on 
the  Lord's  Day,  and  that  from  this  date  they  shall  close  said  gates  to 
visitors  all  the  hours  of  each  Lord's  Day  during  the  continuance  of  this 
Exposition. — 1901,  p.  30. 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP,    CHAP.    I.  1113 

e.  Resolved,  4.  That  we  heartily  commend  the  United  States  Congress  for 
conditioning  the  appropriation  of  five  millions  of  dollars  to  the  Louisiana 
Purchase  Exposition,  to  be  held  in  the  city  of  St.  Louis,  in  the  year  1903, 
by  the  following  amendment  to  said  bill : 

"  That  as  a  condition  precedent  to  the  payment  of  this  appropriation 
the  Directors  shall  contract  to  close  the  gates  to  visitors  on  Sundays  dur- 
ing the  whole  duration  of  the  Fair." — 1901,  p.  30. 

4.  Discontinuance  of  Sunday  excursions  urged. 

Resolved,  8.  That  we  most  respectfully  but  earnestly  request  all  officers 
of  public  transportation  companies  to  seriously  consider  the  subject  of 
Sunday  excursions,  to  the  end  that  they  may  be  discontinued,  in  the  in- 
terest of  labor,  morals,  and  religion. — 1902,  p.  109. 

5.  Political  conferences  on  Sunday  condemned. 

Resolved,  10.  That  we  deprecate  political  conferences  on  the  Lord's 
Day,  a  practice  which  has  become  a  great  and  growing  evil  in  this  Re- 
public, and  which  has  led  in  some  recent  campaigns  to  public  political 
meetings  on  this  day. — 1902,  p.  109. 

6.  Employers  of  labor  to  secure  minimum  of  Sunday  labor. 

That  we  affirm  the  inalienable  right  of  every  man  to  rest  from  labor  on 
the  Sabbath  Day,  or  the  day  commonly  called  Sunday,  and  therefore 
earnestly  request  all  railroad  companies,  and  all  directors  of  corporations 
of  whatever  character,  and  all  individual  employers  of  labor,  to  so  direct 
their  corporations  and  business  enterprises  as  to  secure  the  minimum  of 
labor  and  the  maximum  of  rest  on  the  Lord's  Day. — 1901,  p.  30. 

7.  Sabbath-school  lesson  to  be  prepared  on  Sabbath  Observance. 

That  the  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school  Work  be  requested 
to  prepare  a  lesson  specifically  on  Sabbath  Observance,  and  that  our  Sab- 
bath-school superintendents  be  requested  to  use  the  same  on  review  day, 
September  25  next,  or,  if  more  convenient,  upon  one  Sabbath  in  the 
month  of  October.— 1898,  p.  42. 

8.  Sabbath  Observance  Committees  to  be  organized  in  Presbyteries  and 

Synods. 

a.  That  the  General  Assembly  recommends  that  a  Sabbath  Observance 
Committee  be  organized  in  each  Presbytery,  to  cooperate  with  similar 
Committees  of  the  other  denominations  within  its  bounds  in  aiding  the 
work  of  local  Sabbath  Associations  ;  and  where  such  organizations  do  not 
exist,  to  promote  the  formation  of  such  associations  in  connection  with  the 
national  organization,  the  American  Sabbath  Union,  and  the  Woman's 
National  Sabbath  Alliance. — 1905,  p.  21. 

b.  That  the  General  Assembly  recommends  that  a  Sabbath  Observance 
Committee  be  organized  in  each  Synod,  of  which  the  Chairman  of  each 
Presbytery's  Committee  on  Sabbath  Observance  shall  be  at  least  a  cor- 
responding member,  and  that  the  Synod's  Committee  shall  cooperate  with 
the  State  Sabbath  Associations. — 1905,  p.  21. 


1114  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 


SECTION  VI. 
1.  Instruction  in  the  Shorter  Catechism  emphasized. 

Resolved,  That  this  116th  General  Assembly,  in  session  at  Buffalo,  May, 
1904,  does  hereby  emphasize  and  reaffirm  all  deliverances  of  former  As- 
semblies touching  the  duty  of  teaching  the  Shorter  Catechism  in  the  Sab- 
bath-school. We  strongly  recommend  its  adoption,  and  that  Presbyteries 
and  Sessions  use  every  means  within  their  power  to  fully  carry  out  the 
spirit  and  purpose  of  this  Resolution. — 1904,  p.  97. 


CHAPTER    V. 
OF  PUBLIC  PRAYER. 


SECTION  IV. 
1.  Appointment  of  Committee  on  Forms  and  Services. 

In  reply  to  Overture  No.  127,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Denver,  and 
Overture  No.  139,  from  the  Synod  of  New  York,  on  Tentative  Forms  of 
Worship  and  a  Book  of  Forms  for  Ministers,  the  Committee  recommends 
the  adoption  of  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved,  1.  That  a  Committee  of  eleven  be  appointed  by  the  Mod- 
erator, in  conference  with  the  Editorial  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Pub- 
lication, to  take  into  consideration  and  if  possible  to  prepare,  in  harmony 
with  the  Directory  for  Worship,  a  Book  of  Simple  Forms  and  Services 
which  shall  be  proper  and  helpful  for  voluntary  use  in  Presbyterian 
churches  in  the  celebration  of  the  Sacraments,  in  marriages  and  funerals, 
and  in  the  conduct  of  public  worship. 

Resolved,  2.  That  in  the  preparation  of  these  voluntary  services  the 
Committee  be  instructed  to  draw  from  the  Holy  Scriptures  and  the  usage 
of  the  Reformed  Churches  ;  to  avoid  those  forms  which  savor  of  ritual- 
ism ;  to  embody  sound  doctrine  in  the  language  of  orderly  devotion,  and 
to  keep  ever  in  mind  the  end  of  Presbyterian  worship,  which  is  that  all 
the  people  should  join  in  the  service  of  God  as  He  is  revealed  in  Jesus 
Christ. 

Resolved,  3.  That  this  Committee  shall  report  to  the  next  General  As- 
sembly, and  shall  submit  whatever  work  they  have  been  enabled  to  com- 
plete to  the  Assembly  for  approval  and  disposition. — 1903,  p.  113. 

2.  Names  of  Members  of  the  Committee. 

a.  Ministers — Henrv  van  Dvke,  D.D.,  John  DeWitt,  D.D.,  Cuthbert 
Hall,  D.D.,  Louis  F.  Benson,  D.D.,  William  R.  Richards,  D.D.,  Doug- 
lass P.  Putnam,  D.D.  Elders — Robert  N.  Wilson,  John  H.  Converse, 
John  E.  Parsons,  Nolan  R.  Best,  Homer  Lee.— 1903,  p.  169. 

b.  Additional  members — James  H.  Snowden,  D.D.,  William  B.  Jen- 
nings, D.D,  W.  Robson  Notman,  D.D.,  William  R.  Taylor,  D.D.,  and 
in  place  of  Douglass  P.  Putnam,  D.D.,  deceased,  John  Clark  Hill,  D.D. 
The  Moderator  [Dr.  J.  D.  Moffat]  was  also  added  to  this  Committee  by 
order  of  the  Assembly. — 1905,  p.  182. 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP,    CHAP.    V.  1115 

3.  Reports  of  the  Committee. 

[See  Minutes,  1904,  p.  63  ;  1905,  p.  165  ;  1906,  p.  117.  Also  the 
next  Items.] 

4.  Action  of  the  Assembly  of  1905. 

The  Report  of  the  Special  Committee  on  Forms  and  Services  was  taken 
up,  and  the  following  was  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  this  Assembly,  having  received  the  Report  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Forms  and  Services,  and  approving  the  principles  which  have 
guided  the  Committee  in  following  their  instructions  to  prepare  a  Book 
of  Service  proper  for  voluntary  use  in  Presbyterian  churches,  herewith 
recommit  the  Book  to  the  Committee  with  the  following  instructions  :  To 
revise  the  form  for  baptism  in  order  to  safeguard  the  doctrine  of  the  Re- 
formed Churches  regarding  the  force  of  baptism,  the  birthright  church 
membership  of  children  of  believers,  and  the  covenant  engagement  of 
believers  to  be  the  Lord's  ;  to  add  further  suitable  prayers  to  those  now 
provided  for  family  worship  ;  to  add  forms  of  service,  according  to  the  in- 
structions of  the  Form  of  Government,  for  the  ordination  and  installation 
of  ruling  elders  and  deacons,  the  licensing  of  candidates  to  preach  the 
Gospel,  the  laying  of  the  cornerstone  and  dedication  of  a  church,  and  if 
it  be  found  wise,  the  Psalter  as  now  published  in  the  Hymnal. 

For  the  purpose  of  further  review  and  revision  of  the  work,  the  As- 
sembly orders  the  addition  to  the  Committee  of  five  members,  of  whom 
the  Moderator  shall  be  one,  the  remaining  four  to  be  active  pastors ;  the 
entire  Committee  to  be  instructed  to  secure  the  opinion  and  counsel  of 
pastors  who  may  be  available  in  the  work  of  revision  and  completion  of 
their  work. 

In  case  the  enlarged  Committee  reach  definite  and  satisfactory  comple- 
tion of  their  work  during  the  present  year,  we  authorize  the  publishing 
of  the  Book  of  Worship  by  the  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school 
Work,  in  order  that  the  churches  may  have  opportunity  to  consider  and 
test  the  same,  the  Committee  to  make  full  report  to  the  next  Assembly. 

In  case  the  Committee  do  not  reach  definite  and  satisfactory  completion 
of  their  work  before  the  meeting  of  the  next  Assembly,  they  are  in- 
structed to  report  the  work  to  that  Assembly  for  further  action. 

The  following  additional  resolutions  were  adopted  unanimously,  in  con- 
nection with  the  Report : 

Resolved,  That  the  words  "  For  Voluntary  Use  in  the  Churches  "  shall 
be  inserted  on  the  title-page  of  the  Book  of  Worship  when  issued  by  the 
Board  of  Publication. 

Resolved,  That  the  version  of  the  Scriptures  to  be  used  in  the  Book  of 
Worship  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  Committee. — 1905,  p.  165. 

5.  Action  of  the  Assembly  of  1906. 

Resolved,  First :  That  the  General  Assembly  hereby  calls  the  attention  of 
its  ministers  and  congregations  to  the  historic  position  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  in  regard  to  liberty  in  the  con- 
duct of  public  worship.  The  minister  is  not  confined  to  any  set  form  of 
service,  nor  is  he  prohibited  from  using  such  forms,  in  harmony  with  the 
doctrine  of  this  Church,  as  may  seem  to  him  convenient  and  appropriate. 
The  Directory  for  Worship  refers  frequently  to  "the  discretion  of  the 
minister,"  "the  prudence  of  the  minister,"  "the  judgment  and  fidelity  of 


1116  SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 

the  pastor"  (Chapters  III,  iii.  ;  IV,  iv.  ;  V,  iv.)  in  the  arrangement  and 
proportion  of  the  different  parts  of  the  service.  The  Assembly  of  1882 
asserted  that  "  in  view  of  the  liberty  which  belongs  to  each  minister  to 
avail  himself  of  the  Calvinistic  or  other  ancient  devotional  forms  of  the 
Reformed  Church,  so  far  as  may  seem  to  him  for  edification,  it  is  inexpe- 
dient for  this  General  Assembly  to  make  any  special  order  in  the 
premises";  and  the  General  Assembly  of  1884  reaffirmed  the  action  of 
two  previous  Assemblies  to  the  effect  that  "  the  whole  internal  arrange- 
ment of  a  Church  as  to  worship  and  order  is  committed  to  the  Minister 
and  Session";  all  of  which  this  Assembly  reaffirms. 

Resolved,  Second  :  That  the  General  Assembly  calls  attention  to  the 
fact  that  it  has  no  power  or  authority  to  impose  any  particular  forms  of 
conducting  worship,  or  any  obligatory  liturgy,  upon  the  Church  ;  and  that 
the  existing  liberty  of  worship  is  safeguarded  by  the  Constitution,  which 
requires  that  any  amendment  to  the  Directory  for  Worship  must  be  sub- 
mitted to  the  Presbyteries,  and  receive  an  affirmative  vote  of  a  majority 
of  them,  before  it  can  become  effective. 

Resolved,  Third  :  That  the  General  Assembly  recognizes  that  the  Com- 
mittee appointed  by  the  Assembly  of  1903  "to  prepare,  iu  harmony  with 
the  Directory  for  Worship,  a  Book  of  Simple  Forms  and  Services,  which 
shall  be  proper  and  helpful  for  voluntary  use  in  Presbyterian  churches,  in 
the  celebration  of  the  Sacraments,  in  marriages  and  funerals,  and  in  the 
conduct  of  public  worship,"  have  reached  that  completion  of  their  work 
contemplated  by  the  Assembly  of  1905;  and  that  the  Book  of  Common 
Worship  is  now  published  pursuant  to  the  action  of  the  last  General 
Assembly,  "  in  order  that  the  churches  may  have  opportunity  to  consider 
and  test  the  same,"  as  an  orderly  compendium  containing  helpful  forms 
in  harmony  with  the  doctrines  of  our  Church. 

Resolved,  In  order  that  there  may  be  no  misunderstanding  the  Assembly 
declares  that,  in  view  of  the  liberty  which  has  always  belonged  to  ministers 
and  churches  in  the  conduct  of  public  worship,  it  is  deemed  inexpedient  to 
make  any  recommendation  in  this  matter,  and  it  is  directed  that  the 
following  changes  be  made  in  the  title-page  and  the  Preface. 

The  title-page  to  read  as  follows  : 

The  Book 

OF 

Common  Worship 

Prepared  by  the  Committee  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  U.  S.  A. 

For  Voluntary  Use 

Philadelphia 

Presbyterian  Board  of  Publication  and  Sabbath-school  Work 

1906 

Also  to  change  the  last  clause  of  the  third  paragraph  of  the  Preface, 
beginning  "its  publication,"  etc.,  so  as  to  read  "it  is  now  published  for 
the  purpose  contemplated  by  the  General  Assembly  of  1905." — 1906, 
p.  121. 


DIRECTORY    FOR    WORSHIP,    CHAP.    VI.  1117 

CHAPTER  VI. 
OF  THE  WORSHIP  OF  GOD  BY  OFFERINGS. 

1.  Amended  by  the  insertion  of  a  new  section. 

The  Directory  for  Worship,  Chapter  VI,  amended  by  inserting  a 
new  section  between  present  Sections  8  and  4,  to  be  called  Section  4,  the 
present  Section  4  to  be  renumbered  and  called  Section  5. 

4.  The  offerings  of  the  Sabbath-school  and  of  the  various  societies  or 
agencies  of  the  Church  shall  be  reported  regularly  to  the  Session  of  the 
Church  for  approval,  and  no  offerings  or  collections  shall  be  made  by 
them  for  objects  other  than  those  connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  U.  S.  A.,  without  the  approval  of  the  Session. — 1902,  p.  166. 

2.  Duty  of  the  Churches  to  the  Boards. 

An  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Lackawanna  sets  forth  the  fact 
that  our  eight  Church  Boards  were  incorporated  primarily,  not  for  the 
purpose  of  raising  money,  but  for  the  purpose  of  expending  it,  as  the 
agents  of  the  Church,  after  it  has  been  raised.  It  is  the  duty  of  the 
churches  to  fill  up  the  treasuries  of  these  Boards,  that  the  important  mis- 
sionary work  contemplated  in  the  erection  of  these  Boards  may  be  by 
them  efficiently  carried  on  year  by  year.  This  efficiency  is  greatly  inter- 
fered with  if  the  funds  be  not  cheerfully  and  promptly  provided,  and 
seriously  crippled  if  any  funds  absolutely  necessary  be  withheld.  Let 
the  Church  support  the  Boards  by  large,  liberal,  willing,  and  steadily 
imparted  offerings,  and  then  let  the  Boards  act  as  wise  agents  in  carrying 
out  the  design  of  their  creation.  The  Church  must  support  its  Boards. 
The  Boards  must  be  wise  and  efficient  agents  of  the  Church.  Let  this 
conception  be  clearly  recognized. — 1901,  p.  85. 

3.  Duty  of  Presbytery  as  to  systematic  giving. 

That  each  Presbytery  be  charged  to  encourage  in  all  its  churches  some 
plan  of  systematic  giving  to  every  Board,  according  to  Chap.  VI,  Directory 
for  Worship,  and  to  this  end  that  it  be  made  an  item  of  regular  business 
at  one  of  the  stated  meetings  of  Presbytery  each  year  to  call  the  roll  of 
the  churches  and  hear  their  responses  on  this  matter  ;  and  their  reasons 
for  not  contributing  shall  not  be  sustained  unless  they  are  special  and 
satisfactory.— 1899,  p.  120. 

4.  Duty  of  Sessions  as  to  offerings. 

That  the  Sessions  of  all  of  our  churches  be  reminded  of  their  responsi- 
bility in  connection  with  the  stimulation  and  systematic  development  of 
Church  benevolences,  and  be  urged  to  devise  and  faithfully  carry  out 
some  plan  of  annually  canvassing  the  entire  constituency  of  each  church, 
for  offerings  in  aid  of  all  authorized  missionary  and  benovolent  causes  of 
the  Church.— 1906,  p.  106. 

[Note. — See  also  Systematic  Beneficence,  this  Supplement,  p.  1043.] 


1118  SUPPLEMENT   TO    DIGEST. 

5.  Subscription  blanks,  etc.,  to  be  furnished  free. 

That  the  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence  be  instructed  and  au- 
thorized to  furnish  free  of  charge  subscription  blanks  and  envelopes  for 
the  taking  of  offerings  on  the  Lord's  Day,  the  expense  being  borne  pro 
rata  according  to  the  amounts  received  through  church  offerings  by  the 
Boards  of  the  Church.— 1898,  p.  118. 


CHAPTER  IX. 
OF  THE  ADMINISTRATION  OF  THE  LORD'S  SUPPER. 

1.  The  kind  of  wine  left  to  the  determination  of  Session. 

Judicial  Case  No.  9,  being  an  appeal  of  Hugh  Marlin,  from  the  action 
of  the  Synod  of  Indiana,  concerning  the  use  of  wine  in  the  Lord's 
Supper. 

The  Judicial  Committee  recommend  that  the  judgment  of  the  Synod 
be  sustained,  and  that  the  appellant  have  leave  to  withdraw  his  papers, 
inasmuch  as  the  General  Assembly  has  already  committed  the  question  in- 
volved to  the  determination  of  each  Session  (see  Digest,  1898,  p.  853). — 
1898,  p.  45. 

2.  Ruling  Elders  cannot  administer  the  Sacraments. 
[See  under  Confession  of  Faith,  Chapter  XXVII,  p.  956.] 


CHAPTER  XIV. 
OF  THE  BURIAL  OF  THE  DEAD. 

1.  Funerals  on  the  Lord's  Day  disapproved. 

Overture  No.  237,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Topeka,  with  reference  to 
Sunday  funerals.  It  is  recommended  that  the  following  response  be 
made  : 

The  Assembly  disapproves  all  unnecessary  labor  on  the  Lord's  Day, 
and  recommends  its  ministers  and  membership  to  assist  in  diminishing  the 
practice  of  funerals  on  that  day  except  in  cases  of  necessity. — 1906,  p.  38. 


INDEX. 


Absentees,  members,  1088 

ministers,  1090 
Administrative    Standards,       Amend- 
ments, 1079 
Advisory  members,  Assembly,  983 
Alliance  of  Reformed  Churches,  1001 

basis  of  representation,  1001 

delegates,  1003 

European  work,  1002 

expenses,  1003,  1010 

Seventh  General  Council,  1001 

Eighth  General  Council,  1001 

work  approved,  1001 
Amendments  to  Constitution,  940,  1079 

declared  inoperative,  1082 
American  Bible  Society,  1065 
American     Churches,     correspondence 

with,  1004 
American  Tract  Society,  1065 
Annual  Reports,  Churches,  964 

Presbyteries,  969 
Appeals,  method  of  hearing,  1096 

withdrawn,  for  peace,  1096 

final  judgment,  reversal  of,  only 
by,  1096 

original  party,  1096 

not  against  discretion  of  a  judica- 
tory, 1097 

not  against  obedience  to  instruc- 
tions, nor  in  case  adjudicated, 
1097 

dismissed  for  lack  of  specifications, 
1098 

time  of  notice,  1093 

dissent  from  judgment,  1099 

affirmed,  1100 

remanded,  1100 
Appellants  : 

Backus,  C.  W.,  1090,  1098,  1100 

Bercovitz,  Moses,  1086 

Birch,  Geo.  W.  F.,  1096 

Bose,  J.  C,  1098,  1100 

Clinton,  Sarah  R.,  976 

Day,  A.  R.,  1092 

Dayton,  John  G,  1105 

Fleming,  Edward  T.,  1100 

Gowland,  Maggie,  1109 

Holliday,  J.  C,  1109 

Lee  Case,  1098 

McCullough,  N.  N.,  975,  1103,  1106 

McGiffert  Case,  945,  1096 

Marlin,  Hugh,  1118 

Marsh,  Geo.  H.,  1102 

Mason,  J.  G.,  1070 


Appellants : 

Massey,  J.  W.,  980,  1109 

Patterson,  J.  G.,  976,  1098 

Richter,  Louis,  1100 

Riedy,  Owen,  975, 1098,  1099,  1106 

Schell  Case,  1098 

Simeon,  J.  J.,  975 

Stewart,  Donald,  975 

Taylor  Case,  1110 

Todd,  Robert  J.,  975,  1087 

Warszawiak  Case,  1098,  1103 

Williamsport  Case,  980,  1067,  1105 

Woods,  J.  Scott,  975 

Assembly.     See  General  Assembly. 

Assembly  Herald,  1043 

Bachelors  of  Divinity,  1052,  1055, 

1065 
Backus,    C.    W.,    1090,     1098,     1100, 

1106 
Baird,  James  H.,  1092 
Baptism,  doctrine  of,  949,  957 
Bercovitz,  Moses,  1086,  1106,  1110 
Bible,  The,  and  public  schools,  995 

inerrancy,  946 
Birch,  Geo.  W.  F.,  1096 
Boards,  The: 

Budget,  989, 
Charters,  1022 
Rule  as  to  members,  1021 
Salaried  executive  officers,  1022 
Boards  received  1906,  status  of,  1025 
Book  of  Discipline:  Text  and  decis- 
ions. 
Chap.  I.     Discipline:    its  Nature, 
Ends,  and  Subjects, 
Sec.  3,  1085 
Sec.  5,  1085 
Chap.  III.     Of  Charges  and  Speci- 
fications, 
Sec.  15,  1086 
Chap.  IV.     Of  Process, 
Sec.  18,  1086 
Sec.  19,  1086 
Sec.  26,  1087 
Sec.  29,  1087 
Chap.  VI.     General    Rules    for 
trial, 
Sec.  44,  1087 
Chap.  VII.     Of  Cases  without  Pro- 
cess, 
Sec.  49,  1088 
Sec.  51,  1089 
Sec.  53,  1090 

1119 


1120 


SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 


Book  of  Discipline  : 

Chap.  VIII.     Of  Evidence, 

Sec.  68,  1090 
Chap.  IX.     Of     General     Review 
and  Control, 
Sec.  72,  1090 
Sec.  74,  1091 
Sec.  76,  1091 
Of  Complaints, 
Sec.  83,  1092 
Sec.  84,   1093 
Sec.  85,  1094 
Sec.  87,  1094 
Sec.  88,  1095 
Sec.  89,  1095 
Sec.  91,  1095 
Sec.  93,  1096 
Of  Appeals, 
Sec.  94,  1096 
Sec.  95,  1097 
Sec.  96,  1098 
Sec.  99,  1100 
Sec.  101,  1106 
Chap.  X.     Of  Dissents  and  Pro- 
tests, 
Sec.  105,  1106 
Sec.  107,  1108 
Chap.  XII.     Of  Removals, 

Sec.  114,  1109 
Chap.  XIII.     Of     Judicial    Com- 
missions, 
Sec.  118,  1110 
Book  of  Common  Worship,  1116 
Bose,  J.  O,  1098,  1100,  1108 
Brief     Statement     of    the     Reformed 

Faith,  990 
Brotherhood,  Presbyterian,  1048 
Budget,  989 

Candidates,  form  of  application  for, 
1069 
Presbyterial  vigilance,  1070 
college  graduation,  1070 
Education  Committees,  1070 
Latin  Exegesis,  1070 
Lecture  and  Sermon,  1071 
Licensure,  limitation  of  time,  1071 
Theological   course   to   be   in   ap- 
proved institutions,  1071 
ordination  of,  1072 
ordination    and    licensure,    simul- 
taneous, 1072 
Cases,  judicial,  1085 

non-judicial,  1085 
( 'barters,  model,  for  congregations,  977 
China,  Union  Synod,  998 
Christian  Life  and  Work,  committee, 
970 
narrative,  963,  966,  970 
Christian    Work    among    Seamen    and 
Soldiers,      Permanent      Committee, 
1047 
Church,  deliverance  as  to  true  title,  961 

duty  of,  to  the  nation,  1004 
Church,  particular,  model  charters,  977 
annual  reports,  964 


Church  Cooperation  and  Union,  Com- 
mittee, 916,  923,  927,  941,  1005 
Church  Erection,  Board  of,  1037 
rules  for  grants,  1037 
manse  funds,  103S 
charter,  amended,  103S 
mortgage  released,  1039 
Church     membership,     statistics     of. 
964 
letters,  966,  1098 
Church  Sessions.     See  Session. 
Church  temporalities,  committee,  961 
Churches,  transfer  of,  996 

annual  reports,  963,  966 
Clinton,  Sarah  R.,  976,  1098,  1108 
College  Board,  name  changed,  1041 
constitution,   1041 
property,  transfer  of,  1042 
officer  confirmed,  1042 
Colporteurs,  1035 
Comity    with    other     Denominations, 

1004 
Commissioners    to   General  Assembly, 
984 
seated  on  petition,  1077 
absent    through   illness,    enrolled, 

1077 
clerical,  not  confined  to  pastors, 

971 
and  electing  sections,  985 
Complainants: 

Backus  Case,  1106 
Baird,  James  H.,  1092 
Day,  A.  R.,  1092 
Fernie,  John,  1093 
Fleming,  Edward  T.,  1092 
Granstaff,  Frank,  1109 
Hodge,  Edward  B.,  1095 
Lane,  Charles  Stoddard,  971 
McGiffert  Case,  945 
Malone,  James  S.,  1093 
Mason,  J.  G.,  1070 
Massey  Case,  980 
Patterson,  J.  G.,  976 
Pimiphrey,  W.  H.,  971,  1106 
Rabe,  W.  L.,  1097 
Richie,  W.  N.,  1093 
Ringland,  A.  W..  1106,  1109 
Ross,  T.  M.,  1093,  1095 
Taylor,  Charles  A.,  1097 
Todd,  Robert  J.,  975,  1087 
Warszawiak  Case,  1103 
Whitbeck,  J.  R.,  1092 
Williamsport  Case,  980,  1092 
Complaint,    subject    matter    must    be 
recorded,  980 
must  be  to  next  higher  judicatory, 

1092 
dismissed,  no  reason  given,  1092 
memorials  are  not,  1092 
will   not  lie  against  discretion  of 

judicatory,  1092 
notice  must  be  served,  1093 
time  of  notice,  1093 
sustained,  no  action  taken,  1096 
Concurrent  Declarations,  Union,  913 


1121 


Confession  of  Faith: 

Chap.  I.     Of  the  Holy  Scripture, 

945 
Chap.  III.     Of  God's  Eternal  De- 
cree, 948 
Chap.  VII.     Of  Christ  the  Media- 
tor, 948 
Chap.  X.     Of  Effectual  Calling, 

Sec.  hi,  948 
Chap.  XI.     Of  Justification, 

Sec.  ii,  949 
Chap.  XVI.     Of  Good  Works, 

Sec.  vii   949 
Chap.  XXII.     Of    Lawful    Oaths 
and  Vows, 
Sec.  iii,  950 
Chap.  XXIV.     Of    Marriage    and 
Divorce, 
Sees,  i,  vi,  954,  955 
Chap.  XXV.     Of  the  Church, 

Sec.  vi,  956 
Chap.  XXVII.     Of     the     Sacra- 
ments, 
Sec.  iv,  956 
Chap.  XXVIII.     Of  Baptism,  957 
Chap.   XXIX.      Of     the      Lord's 

Supper,  957 
Chap.  XXXI.     Of     Synods     and 
Councils, 
Sec.  ii,  957 
Sec.  iv,  957 
Preamble  to  New  Chapters,  958 
Chap.    XXXIV.      Of     the     Holy 
Spirit, 
Sees,  i-iv,  958 
Chap.  XXXV.     Of    the    Love    of 
God  and  Missions, 
Sees,  i-iv,  959 
Declaratory  Statement,  959 
Confession  of  Faith,  failure  of  elder  to 

read,  1068 
Confession   of  Faith,  revision  of,  942. 

See  Revision. 
Congregations,  model  charters  for,  977 
Constitution  of  the  Church,   Publica- 
tion of,  913 
Amendments,  1904,  940 
Alterations,  1079 
Constitution  of  the  U.  S.,  petitions  for 

amendment,  953 
Constitutional  Rule,  No.  3,  1069 
Contributions,  directions  as  to,  964 
Corporations,  Religious,  961 
Corresponding    members,    only    minis- 
ters can  be,  974 
standing  of,  must  be  fully  stated, 
974 
Counsel,  judicatories  to  provide,  1093, 
1095 
eligibility  of,  1087 
Cumberland   Presbyterian  Church,   re- 
union with,  916-941 
committees,    916,    923,    924,-926, 

927,  941 
Basis  of  Union,  919 
concurrent  declarations,  920 

71 


Cumberland      Presbyterian      Church, 
Joint-reports,   1904,  918;    1906, 
929 
Recommendations,  921 
Buffalo  Assembly,  922 
Dallas  Assembly.  923 
Winona  Assembly,  925,  929 
Fresno  Assembly,  926 
Des  Moines  Assembly,  937 
Decatur  Assembly,  937 
Declarations  as  to  Union,  937 
Synods  and  Presbvteries  added  to 

roll,  933,  974 
Doctrinal  Deliverance,  939 
Protest  against  Union,  1107 
Answer  to  Protest,  1107 

Cumberland  University,  940 

Danville     Theological     Seminary, 

1056 
Day,  A.  R.,  1092 
Dayton,  John  C,  1105 
Deacons,  resignation  of,  1068 
Declaratory  statement,  913 
Deliverances,  Doctrinal,  990,  1091 

Pastoral,  995 
Demission,  of  ministry,  1089 
Deposition,  1087 
Devotional  exercises,  977 
Digest,  New,  914 
Directors,  elections  of,  1052 
Directory  for  Worship: 

Chap.  I.     On  the  Sanctification  of 
the  Lord's  Day, 
Sec.  i,  1111 
Sec.  ii,  1111 
Sec.  vi,  1114 
Chap.  II.     Of  Public  Prayer, 

Sec.  iv,  1114 
Chap.  VI.     Of    the    Worship    of 
God  by  Offerings, 
Sees,  i-v,  1117 
Chap.  IX.     Of  the  Administration 
of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
Sec.  v,  1118 
Chap.  XIV.     Of  the  Burial  of  the 
Dead, 
Sec.  ii,  1118 
Dismission,  letters  of,  Session  ordered 
to  give,  1109 
not  to  unrepentant  member,  1109 
form  of,  1 109 
removal  notices,  1109 
General  Assembly  orders,  966, 1 109 
Divorce  and  Remarriage,  deliverances 
on,  954,  955 
Legislation,  uniformity  of,  954 
Inter-church  conference,  955 
Doctrine,  deliverances  on,  990 

Ecclesiastical  changes  to  be  reported, 

970 
Education,  Board  of,  1034 
Rules,  1034 

Synodical  Education  Committees, 
1035 


1122 


SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 


Education,  Board  of, 

Legacy,  return  of,  1035 

Foreign    Immigrants,    Work    for, 
1035 

candidates,  1069 
Education  Committees,  1070 
Elders,  election  of,  1067 

ordination,  1068 

resignation,  1068 
Elect  infants,  948,  960 
Electing  districts,  987 

sections,  984 
Evangelical  Alliance,  949 
Evangelistic  work,  committee  on,  1044 

Presbyteries  and  Synods,  1045 

Pastors  and  Sessions,  1045 

Evangelists,  employment  of,  1045 
qualifications,  1045 

Interdenominational    movements, 
1046 

Home  Missions,  Board  of,  1046 

Theological  Seminaries,  1052 
Evidence,  new,  1090 
Excursions,  Sunday,  disapproved,  1113 

Federation,      American      Protestant 
Churches,  1005 
Interchurch  Conference  on,  1006 
Fernie,  John,  1093 

Finance,  Standing  Committee  on,  989 
Fleming,  Edward  T.,  1092,  1100 
Florida,  Synod  of,  973 
Foreign       Churches,       correspondence 
with,  1000 
names,  1000 
Foreign  Missions,  Board  of,  1031 

lay  candidates,  questions  for,  1031 
new  work,  conditions  for,  1031 
Comity,  Rules  of,  1031 
missionaries,  theological  qualifica- 
tions, 1032 
Union    Educational    Institutions, 

1033 
executive    officers,    salaried,     ap- 
proval of,  1033 
Ecumenical     Missionary     Confer- 
ence, 1033 
Chinese  Missions  Centennial,  1034 
Foreign  Presbyteries,  vote  of,  1081 
Foreign-speaking  peoples,  1036 
Form  of  Government: 

Chap.  I.     Preliminary  Principles, 

Sec.  i,  961 
Chap.  II.     Of  the  Church, 

Sec.  iv,  961 
Chap.  IX.     Of  the  Church  Session, 
Sec.  iii,  962 
Sec.  vi,  962 
Sec,  vii,  963 
Sec.  viii,  963 
Sec.  x,  963 
Chap.  X.     Of  the  Presbytery, 
Sec.  ii,  966 
Sec.  iii,  967 
Sec.  iv,  967 
Sec.  v,  968 


Form  of  Government.     Chap.  X. 
Sec.  vii,  968 
Sec.  viii,  969 
Sec.  ix,  969 
Sec.  x,  970 
Sec.  xi,  971 
Chap.  XI.     Of  the  Synod, 
Sec.  i,  971 
Sec.  iii,  974 
Sec.  iv,  975 
Sec.  vi,  978 
Chap.  XII.     Of  the  General  As- 
sembly, 
Sec.  i,  982 
Sec.  iv,  990 
Sec.  v,  990 
Sec.  vii,  1066 
Sec.  viii,  1067 
Chap.  XIII.     Of  Electing  and  Or- 
daining Ruling  Elders  and 
Deacons, 
Sec.  ii,  1067 
Sec.  iv,  1068 
Sec.  vi,  1068 
Chap.  XIV.     Of  licensing  Candi- 
dates   or    Probationers    to 
Preach  the  Gospel, 
Sec.  iii,  1069 
Sees,  iv  and  v,  1070 
Sec.  vi,  1071 
Sec.  vii,  1071 
Chap.  XV.     Of  the  Election  and 
Ordination    of    Bishops    or 
Pastors,  and  Evangelists, 
Sec.  ix,  1071 
Sec.  x,  1072 
Sec.  xi,  1072 
Sec.  xiv,  1072 
Sec.  xvi,  1073 
Chap.  XVII.     Of     Resigning     a 
Pastoral  Charge, 
Sec.  ii  (new),  1073 
Chap.  XVIII.     Of  Missions,   1073 
Chap.  XIX.     Of  Moderators,  1073 
Chap.  XX.     Of  Clerks,  1074 
Chap.  XXI.     Of   Vacant   Congre- 
gations assembling  for  wor- 
ship, 
Sec.  ii  to  iv  (new),  1074 
Chap.  XXII.     Of    Commissioners 
to  the  General  Assembly,  1077 
Chap.  XXIII.     Of  the  Organiza- 
tions of  the  Church;  their  rights 
and  duties  (new),  1078 
Chap.  XXIV.     Of  amendments, 
Sec.  i,  1079 
Sec.  ii,  1079 
Sec.  iii,  1082 
Sec.  vi,  1082 
Forms  and  Services,  Committee  on,  1114 
Assembly  action,  1115 
Book  of  Common  Worship,  1116 
Freedmen,  Board  for,  1040 
officer  approved,  1040 
debt  liquidated,  1040 
Funerals  on  Lord's  Day,  1118 


INDEX. 


1123 


General  Assembly,  members,  983 

expenses,  983 

Electing  Sections,  987 

Moderator,  982 

Stated  Clerk,  983 

Permanent  Clerk,  984 

Standing  Committees,  987 

Special  Committees,  989 

Standing  Rules,  982 

Advisory  members,  983 

Place  of  meeting,  1067 

Minutes,  913 

Biennial,  triennial,  1066 
Gowland,  Maggie,  1109 
Granstaff,  Frank,  1109 
Grouped  churches  and  stated  supplies, 
967 

Historical  documents,  913 
Hodge,  Edward  B.,  1095 
Holliday,  J.  G,  1109 
Holy  Scriptures,  inerrancy  of,  946 
Home  missionaries,  designation  of,  970 
Home  Missions,  Board  of,  1026 
Funds,  distribution  of,  1026 
Presbytery  assigned  to,  1026 
College  assigned  to,  1026 
Associate    Secretaries,    approved, 

1026 
Centennial,  1027 
Synodical   Home   Missions,    1027, 

1028 
Sustentation,  plan  of,  1027 
Immigrants,  work  among,  1028 
Evangelistic  Work,  plan,  1030 
Sabbath-school   missionary   work, 

1030 
Vacancy  and  supply,  988 
Home    Missions,    Committee    on,    ap- 
pointed in  new  Presbytery,  999 
Home  Missions,  Synodical,  1027 

Standing   Committee,  988 
Home   Missions,   Standing   Committee 
on,  to  report  on  vacancy  and  supply, 
988 
Hungarians  in  the  U.  S.,  work  among, 
1018 
Committee  of  Conference,  1020 

India,  Presbyterian  Church  in,  997 
Interchurch  Conference  on  Federation, 
1006-1010 
Plan  of  Federation,  text,  1007 
Churches  represented,  1007 
expenses  of  delegates,  1010 
Interchurch    Conference    on    Marriage 

and  Divorce,  955 
Interdenominational  intercourse,  949 

Jesus  Christ,  infallibility  of,  947,  948 
Judgments,    appealed    from    and    af- 
firmed, 1100 
reversed,  modified,  or  remanded, 
1100 
Judicatory,  higher,  determinations  of, 
to  be  reverenced,  957 


Judicatory,   single  session  of,  denned, 

971 
Judicial  cases,  definition,  1085 
non-judicial  cases,  1085 
decision,  not  reversible  except  by 
appeal,  1091 
Judicial   Commissions,   of   Presbytery, 
969 
of  Synod,  975 

of  General  Assembly,  990,  1110 
Judical  Committee  as,  1110 
Judicial  Committee,  D.  1110 

reversed  by  Judicial  Commission, 
975 
Justification  by  faith,  947,  949 

Kentucky,  Theological  Seminary  of, 
1056 
Agreement,  Text  of,  1060 
Constitution,  1064 
Korea,  Union  Presbyterian  Church  in, 
998 

Labor,  Sunday,  not  approved,  1113 
Lane,  Charles  Stoddard,  971,  1100 
Latin  Exegesis,  1076 
'Laws  Relating  to  Religious  Corpora- 
tions," 961 
Lebanon  Theological  Seminary,  1065 
Lee  Case,  1098 
License  system,  10S5 
Licentiate  and  local  church,  1072 

when  ordained,  1072 
Liquor  traffic  and  discipline,  962,  1085 
Local  Evangelist,  licensure,  1071 
Lord's  Supper,  947,  957 
Louisville  Theological  Seminary,  1056 

McCormick      Theological      Seminary, 
1064 

Constitution,  amendments  to,  1064 
McCullough,  N.  N.,  975,  1103,  1106 
McGiffert,  A.  C,  945-948,  1086,  1096 
Malone,  James  S.,  1093 
Marriage    and    Divorce,     Interchurch 

Conference,  955 
Marlin,  Hugh,  1100,  1118 
Marsh,  George  H.,  1102,  1110 
Mason,  J.  G.,  1070,  1100 
Massey,  J.  W.,  980,  1109 
Members,  non-resident,  1088 

letters  of  dismissal,  966,  1110 

Reserve  Roll  changed  to  Suspend- 
ed Roll,  964,  1088 

Statistics  of,  964 
Memorials,  as  complaints,  1092 

in  judicial  cases,  1096 
Men's  societies,  Committee  on,  1048 
Mexico,  Synod  of,  996 
Ministerial  Sustentation  Fund,  1046 

plan,  1046 
Ministers  urged  to  withdraw,  945 

stricken  from  roll,  969,  1090 

transferred,  969 

without  charge,  969 

plan  of  sustentation,  1047 


1124 


SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 


Ministers,  salaries  of,  1071 

from  other  denominations,  1073 

demission  of,  1089 

dismissed  by  Assembly,  966 
Minutes,    General    Assembly,    Supple- 
ments to,  970 

reprint,  913 

Statistical  Reports,  964 
Minutes,  Synod,  review  of: 

detail  of  review,  978 

Commissions  not  to  approve,  980 

no  second  approval  of,  980 

certification  of,  981 

printed,  981 

translations,  981 

corrections,  981 

to  be  presented  annually,  981 
Moderator,  mode  of  election,  982 

nominating  speeches,   time   limit, 
982 

Chairmen    Standing    Committees, 
982 
Mormonism,  deliverances    against,  950 
Music,  church,  963 

Narrative   of  the  State  of   Religion, 
963,  970,  979,  988 

Standing  Committee  on,  988 

name  changed,  966 
Non-judicial  cases,  definition,  1085 

complaints  in,  1094 

Offerings,  duty  of  churches,  1117 
Presbytery,  1117 
subscription  blanks,  1118 
Omaha  Theological  Seminary,  Consti- 
tution, 1064 
Organizations,  rights  and  duties,  1078 
Overtures,     declaration    of    adoption, 
1081,  1083 

Pastor  Emeritus,  1073 

Pastoral  Deliverances,  995 

Pastors  and  grouped  churches,  967 

Patterson,  J.  G.,  976,  1098 

Permanent  Clerk,  mode  of  election,  984 
tenure  of  office,  984 
and  electing  sections,  985 

Permanent  Committees,  1021 

Philippines,  The,  995 

Place  of  meeting,  Assembly,  1067 

Political   Conferences   on   Sunday  not 
approved,  1113 

Polygamy,  956 

Powers  of  the  General  Assembly: 
over  Synods,  966,  971,  995,  998 
over  Presbyteries,  996,  998,  999 
over  amendments  to  Constitution, 

1080,  1082 
over  Boards,  1021 
review  of  records,  978 
over  Theological  Seminaries,  1050 
to  transfer  ministers,  966,  969,  999 
to  transfer  churches,  996 
to  transfer  Presbyteries,  999,  1026 
to  erect  Presbvteries,  966 


Powers  of  the  General  Assembly  : 

to  receive  Synods,  974 

to  receive  Presbyteries,  974 

to       correspond       with       foreign 
Churches,  1000 

Union  of  denominations,  919,  937 

Comity  with  other  denominations, 
1004 

as  to  place  of  meeting,  1066 

to  dismiss  church  members,  1109 
Powers  of  the  Synod: 

to  fix  bounds  of  Presbyteries,  969 

to  appoint  Commissions,  975 

as  to  ministers,  977 

vacancy  and  supply,  1075 
Powers  of  the  Presbytery: 

appointment  of  Commissions,  969 

over  vacant  churches,  968,  1075 

vacant  pulpit,  968 
Powers  of  the  Session: 

discipline,  962 

over  the  Sabbath-school,  963 

over  Societies,  963 

over  congregational  worship,  963 

over  the  musical  service,  963 

over  times  and  places  of  all  relig- 
ious services,  963 

over  uses  of  the  church  buildings, 
963 

dismissing  members,  1 109 
Prayer,  opening  and  closing,  Session, 
963 

Synod,  977 
Presbyterian  Brotherhood,  The, 

organized,  1048 

Constitution  approved,  1049 

Standing  Committee,  1049 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.,  re- 
lations with,  1016,  1017 

reception  of  ministers  from,  1073 
Presbyterian  and  Reformed  Churches 
in  America: 

Federation,  1011 

Articles  of  Agreement,  1013 

Presbyterian  Alliance.  1012 
Presbyteries,  received  (1906),  974 

names  of,  933 

territorial  limits,  966 

power  of  Assembly  to  erect,  966 

members  named,  966 

ipso  facto  members,  967 

permission     necessary     to     labor 
within  bounds  of,  967 

erected  on  mission  fields,  998 

erected  on  home  field,  998 

transfer  of,  999 

division  of,  999 

formed    out   of   churches   in   two 
Synods,  999 

action  in  absence  of  quorum.  968 

representation    by    elders    at    ad- 
journed meetings,  967 

pro  re  nata  meetings,  970 

enlargement,  969 

merger,  969 

Judicial  Commissions.  969 


INDEX. 


1125 


Presbyteries,  powers.    See  Powers. 
Temperance  Committees,  1044 
vacant  pulpit,  968 
vacancy  and  supply,  1075 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  1053 
Plan,  changes  in,  1053 
Assembly's  right  of  control,  1054 
Act   of    New    Jersey    Legislature, 

1054 
Bachelor   of   Divinity,   degree   of, 
1055 
Proceedings,  correct  record  of,  1090 
Professors,  elections  of,  1052 
Pro  re  nata  meeting,  970 
Protest    against    "separate"    Presby- 
teries, 1106 
against  union  with   the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church,  1107 
other  dissents  and  protests,  1108 
Protestant    Churches,    closer    relation 
of,  1006 
Conference  authorized,  1006 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  954 
Publication,  Board  of,  1035 
Colporteurs,  1035 
funds,  investment  of,  1035 
Officers,  approval  of,  1035 
and  Board  of  Home  Missions,  1036 
administrative  changes,  authority 

to  make,  1036 
Foreign-speaking     peoples,     work 

among,  1036 
Young    Peoples'    Work,    Depart- 
ment of,  1036 
Public  Expositions,  Sunday  closing  of, 

1112 
Public  funds  for  sectarian  purposes,  995 
Public  Schools,  the  Bible  in,  995 
Pulpit,  declaration  of  vacancy,  968 
Pumphrey,  W.  H.,  971,  1106 

Quorum,  absence  of,  968,  969 

Rabe,  W.  L.,  1097 

"Records  of  the  Presbyterian  Church," 

913 
Records,  review  of,  judicial  cases  not 
included  in,  980 
no    time    for    furnishing    records 

specified,  1089 
review  of,  cannot  reverse  judicial 

decision,  1091 
must  be  sent  up,  981 
detail     of     review     of     Synodical 
records,  978 
Reformed  Church  in  the  U.  S.,  1017 
Relief,  Board  of,  1039 
Rules,  1039 
Investments,  1039 
Westminster  House,  1039 
Endowment,  1040 
Churches,    apportionment     upon, 

1040 
Churches   failing   to    make    offer- 
ings, 1040 
Religious  liberty,  995 


Reserve  Roll,  1088 

Revision  of  the  Confession: 

appointment  of  Committee,  942 

Reports  of  Committee,  944 

votes     of     the     Presbyteries    on, 

1079 
Committee  of  Canvass,  1080 
Vote  on,  Summary  of,  1080 
Text  of,  943,  948,  949,  956,  958 
General  Assembly,  enactment  by, 

1080 
Moderator,  declaration  by,  1081 
Foreign  Presbyteries,  vote  of,  1081 

Richie,  W.  N.,  1093 

Richter,  Louis,  1100 

Riedy,   Owen,   975,   1098,   1099,   1106, 
1108,  1110 

Ringland,  A.  W.,  1106,  1109 

Roll,  erasure  from,  1090 

Ross,  T.  M.,  1093,  1095 

Sabbath   Observance,   Committee  on, 
1111 
Methods  commended,  1111 
Public     Expositions,     closing    of, 

1112 
Sunday  excursions,  1113 
Political  conferences,  1113 
Sunday  labor,  1113 
Sabbath-school  lesson,  1113 
Presbyterial  Committees,  1113 
Synodical  Committees,  1113 

Sacraments,   ruling  elders  cannot  ad- 
minister, 956 
kind  of  wine,  1118 

Schell  Case,  1098 

Session,  Church,  the: 
Moderator  of,  962 
Synodical  superintendent,  962 
duty  of,  liquor  traffic,  962 
Sabbath-school,  Societies,  etc.,  963 
worship,  963 
music,  963 

church  buildings,  963 
temporal  affairs,  963 
times  of  services,  etc.,  963 
opening   and   closing    prayer   not 

mandatory,  963 
reports  to  Presbytery,  963,  964 
balancing  of  returns,  964 
contributions,   instructions  as  to, 

964 
to  be  represented  at  meeting  of 

Presbytery,  967 
Temperance  Committees,  1044 
dismissing  members,  1109 

Session,  of  an  ecclesiastical  body,  defi- 
nition, 971 

Shorter  Catechism,  instruction  in,  1114 

Simeon,  J.  J.,  975 

Special  Committees,  reports  of,  984 

Specifications  to  be  filed,  1098 

Spelling  in  Records,  979 

Standards,  adoption  of,  913 
Proof  Texts,  915 
amendments  to,  1079 


1126 


SUPPLEMENT    TO    DIGEST. 


Standing  Committees,   mode   of   elec- 
tion, 985 
details  of  Plan,  986 
Electing  Districts,  987 
Synodical  Home  Missions,  988 
Presbyterian  Brotherhood,  1049 
Finance,  989 
Standing  Orders  and  Rules,  982,  983 
Stated    Clerk,    authority   for   printing 
directions,  etc.,  965 
tenure  of  office,  983 
expenses  of  the  Assembly,  983 
accounts  of,  audit,  984 
salary,  984 

Overtures,  printing  of,  984 
electing  sections,  984 
Special  Committees,  984,  989 
Stated  Supplies  and  grouped  churches, 

968 
Statistical  Reports,  Rules,  964,  969 

Temperance  column,  964 
Sunday.     See  Sabbath  Observance. 
Suspended  Roll,  1088 
Supplements  to  Minutes,  970 
Stewart,  Donald,  975 
Suspension,  Judicial,  not  without  for- 
mal trial,  1086 
Sustentation,  Committee  on,  1046 
Synods  to  handle  ecclesiastical  matters 
only,  957 
names  of,  933 

and  Presbyteries  received  and  en- 
rolled in  1906,  974 
judgment  of,  when  final,  975 
appointment  of  Commission,  975 
when  primary  inquiry  belongs  to, 

1091 
no  primary  jurisdiction,  977 
to  prepare  model  charters,  977 
opening     sermon     at,  mandatory, 

977 
particular   sessions  to   be   opened 

and  closed  with  prayer,  977 
devotional   exercises  a  substitute 

for  opening  prayer,  977 
records  must  be  full,  978 
absentees  to  be  recorded   except 

by  delegate  Synods,  978 
roll-call,    final,    results   to   be   re- 
corded, 978 
churches    not    represented    to    be 

recorded,  978 
all  action  taken   to   be  recorded, 

979 
reports   adopted   to   be   recorded, 

979 
records,  review  of,  978 
erection  of,  971,  995 
changes  in,  995 
dismissal  of.  995 
Union,  foreign,  995 
legal     successor     to,     designated, 

996 
transfer  of  churches  in,  996 
powers,     See  Powers, 
vacancy  and  supply,  1076 


Synodical  Home  Missions,  977 
Standing  Committee,  988 
Synodical  Superintendents,  962 
Systematic  Beneficence,  Committee  on, 
1043 
appropriations  for,  1043 

Taylor,  Charles  A.,  1097,  1100 

Temperance,     Permanent     Committee 
on,  1043 
literature,  1043 
'Assembly  Herald",  1043 
Interdenominational     Conference, 

1043 
Missionaries,  1043 
Advisory  members,  1043 
Petitions,      U.     S.      Government, 

1043 
Committees,  1044 
Column  in  Minutes,  964 

Theological  Seminaries,  1050 
Conference  of,  1050 
Students,  aid  to,  1050 
Rule  as  to  Minutes,  1*050 
Sabbath-school  work,  1051 
Reports  to  be  fuller,  1051 
Standards,  examinations  on,  1051 
Boards,  work  of  the,  1051 
English  Bible.  1051 
Missions,  1052 

Evangelists,  Courses  for,  1052 
Bachelor   of   Divinity,   degree  of, 

1052,  1055,  1065 
Students   in   trans.,    testimonials, 

1052 
Directors,  elections  of,  1052 
Professors,  elections  of,  1052 

Todd,  Robert  J.,  975,  1087 

Trial,  to  be  on  original  charges  only, 
1086 

Trustees,  resignation  of,  962 
subject  to  Session,  963 

Unemployed  ministers,  1074 

United   States  Government,   Petitions 

to,  952,  953,  1043 
United  States  Naval  Academy,  relig- 
ious rights  of  cadets,  1111 

Vacancy  and  supply,  988 
Committee  on,  1075 
Overtures  sent  down,  1075 
Board  of  Home  Missions,  988 

Vacant  churches: 

Pulpit  supplied  by  Session,  1074 
Unemployed  ministers,  1074 
Ministers  of  other  denominations, 

1074 
Pulpit    supplied    by    Presbytery, 

1074 
definition  of,  1074 
Synodical  missionary,  1075 
declaration  as  to  vacancy,  1075 
moderator  of  sessions  of,  962 
new  regulations,  1075 


INDEX. 


1127 


Warszawiak  Case,  1097,  1098,  1103 
Western  Theological  Seminary,  1055 
Plan  of,  amendments,  1055 
Property,  action  as  to,  1056 
West  Kwantung,  Synod  of,  972 
Westminster    House,    Perth    Amboy, 

1039 
West  Virginia,  Synod  of,  971 
Whitbeck  Case,  1092 


Williamsport   Case,    980,    1067,    1068, 

1092,  1105 
Woods,  J.  Scott,  975 


Young  People's  Societies,  949 
Young     People's     Work,     Permanent 
Committee  on,  1046 
and  Board  of  Publication,  1036 


